Let us present our respects and salutations in the illuminated court of the Prophet Muhammad, the intercessor of the Day of Judgment. O Allah, send peace and blessings upon our master, our leader, and our beloved Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.

On the night of Miraj, Allah Almighty called the Prophet Muhammad, the Mercy for the Worlds, towards Himself and bestowed upon him a unique honor, proximity, and the vision of Himself, a privilege not granted to any other prophet. Allah says,

﴿سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْۤ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَا١ؕ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ﴾^([1])

“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”

On the night of Miraj, Allah Almighty generously rewarded the Prophet of both worlds. On this blessed night, the Prophet traveled from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, then ascended the heavens, reaching beyond the Sidrat al-Muntaha, as far as the Lord of the Universe willed. He witnessed the Throne and the Chair, the Tablet and the Pen, Paradise and Hell, and other great signs. He led the prophets in prayer, was gifted the obligation of the prayers, and most importantly, Allah Almighty honored him with His vision.

There are differing opinions among the Companions of the Prophet about whether the Prophet saw Allah with his physical eyes or through a spiritual vision. However, the more accepted, preferable view is that the Prophet saw his Lord with his physical eyes. This position is supported by verses from the Quran, Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the opinions of scholars of the Muslim community.

Miraj (the Night Ascension) and the vision of Allah

The Night of Miraj and the Divine Vision According to the Quran:

1. On the journey of Miraj, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Mercy to the Worlds and the intercessor of the ummah, witnessed the divine manifestations and lights in the special proximity of the Creator of the Universe. The messages received during these intimate conversations are beyond human comprehension. Allah says in the Quran:

﴿وَهُوَ بِالْاُفُقِ الْاَعْلٰى ؕ۰۰۷ ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰى ۙ۰۰۸ فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ اَوْاَدْنٰىۚ۰۰۹ فَاَوْحٰۤى اِلٰى عَبْدِهٖ مَاۤ اَوْحٰى﴾^([2])

“And he was at the upper part of the horizon. Then he approached and descended and was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed.” (Quranic verses).

“وقال آخَرون: بل معنى ذلك: ثمّ دَنا الربُّ من محمدٍ g فتدَلّى”^([3]).

These verses describe how Allah came closer to the Prophet Muhammad, and the Prophet also came closer to Allah.

1. Imam Ibn Jarir Tabari in his interpretation of this blessed verse writes,

“ثمّ دَنا الرَبُّ e مِن محمدٍ g فتدَلّى

“Others say the meaning of this is ‘Then the Lord came close to Muhammad, peace be upon him, so he also drew close to his Lord.'”

1. Allama Baghawi also writes similarly in his interpretation of this verse, indicating the closeness between Allah and Prophet Muhammad during this event.

The Stability of the Prophet’s Vision:

1. The Stability of the Prophet’s Vision:
   • Allah says:

: ﴿مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَ مَا طَغٰى ۰۰۱۷ لَقَدْ رَاٰى مِنْ اٰيٰتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرٰى﴾^([4])

• “The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit]. He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.” (Quranic verse). This reflects the high status and the power given by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who attained a special closeness to Allah. He witnessed divine illuminations, saw Paradise and Hell, and the wonders of the angelic realm. He met with other prophets and angels. Despite the overwhelming nature of these sights, his eyes were not dazzled or overwhelmed, nor did he blink or feel uneasy. Instead, he observed these wonders intently and fully.

The text discusses various Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) related to the event of Miraj (the Night Ascension) and the Prophet Muhammad’s vision of Allah.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas

1. Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,

«رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي f»^([5])

“I saw my Lord.” Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti in “Al-Khasais al-Kubra” and Allama Abdul Rauf Munawi in “Tayseer Sharh Jami’ Saghir” mention that this hadith is authentic. This statement is given precedence over Sayyida Aisha’s (the Prophet’s wife) statement, which negates the physical vision.

Abdullah Ibn Masood

2. Narrated by Abdullah ibn Masood: The Prophet said,

«قال لي ربّي e: نحلتُ إبراهيمَ خلّتي، وكلّمتُ موسى تكليماً، وأعطيتُك يامحمد كفاحاً!^([6])»^([7])

“My Lord said to me: ‘I made Abraham my friend, spoke directly to Moses, and I granted you, O Muhammad, a direct vision of Me, without any veil or barrier.'”

Jabir ibn Abdullah

3. Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah: The Prophet Muhammad stated,

«إنّ الله تعالى أعطى موسى الكلامَ، وأعطاني الرُؤية، وفضّلني بالمقام المحمود، والحوض المورود«^([8])

“Allah bestowed the gift of speech to Moses and granted me the vision. He favored me with the Praised Station and the abundant Fountain (in Paradise).”

Asma bint Abu Bakr

4. Narrated by Asma bint Abu Bakr: She heard the Prophet describing the Sidrat al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). When she asked what he saw there, he replied,

«رأيتُه عندها» يعني ربَّه^([9]).

    “I saw Him (Allah) there,” referring to his Lord.

Abdul Rahman bin Aish

5. Narrated by Abdul Rahman bin Aish: The Prophet said,

«رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي فِي أَحْسَنِ الصُّورَةِ»^([10])

“I saw my Lord in the most beautiful form.”

6. An account of the Prophet’s Ascension: When the Prophet reached a high point in the heavens,

﴿قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ اَوْ اَدْنٰى﴾^([11])

he presented his greetings and prayers to Allah.

«التحیّاتُ لِلهِ والصّلواتُ وَالطَّیِّباتُ»

Allah responded with a greeting for the Prophet and blessings.

«السّلامُ  علیكَ أَیُّها النَّبيُّ وَرَحمَةُ الله وبرکاتُهٗ!»

The Prophet then extended this greeting to all righteous servants of Allah.

«السّلامُ علینا وعَلى عِبادِ اللهِ الصَّالحین!»

Following this, Allah had a special conversation with the Prophet, which included secrets, news, and commands.

«أَشهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلٰه إِلَّا الله، وَأَشهدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبدُهٗ وَرَسُولُهٗ»

7. The Night of Miraj: On this night, Allah had a direct and exclusive conversation with the Prophet, which was beyond anyone’s imagination or understanding. The Prophet said

«فَوَضَعَ يَدَهٗ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيَّ فَوَجَدْتُ بَرْدَهَا بَيْنَ ثَدْيَيَّ، فَعَلِمْتُ مَا بَيْنَ الْمشْرِقِ وَالْمغْرِبِ»^([12])

that Allah placed His hand between his shoulders, and he felt its coolness in his chest, granting him knowledge of everything between the East and the West.

8. Narrated by Muhammad bin Ka’b: The companions asked the Prophet if he had seen Allah. He replied,

«رَأَيْتُهُ بِفُؤَادِي مَرَّتَيْنِ»^([13])

“I saw Him with my heart twice,” confirming the vision with his heart. Then he recited the verse,

﴿ مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَاٰى﴾^([14])

“The heart did not lie about what it saw.”

9. A special time with Allah: The Prophet Muhammad said,

«لِي مَعَ الله وَقْتٌ لَا يَسَعُ فِيهِ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ، وَلَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ»^([15])

“I have a special time with Allah in which no near angel or sent Prophet can participate.”

Views among the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding whether he saw Allah during the Night of Miraj.

There has been a difference of opinion since the time of the Companions (Sahabah) about whether the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw Allah. Some, like Ummul Mu’minin (Mother of the Believers) Sayyida Aisha Siddiqa, believed that the Prophet did not see Allah directly. On the other hand, others like Abdullah ibn Abbas, and various other Companions and Successors (Tabi’un), held that Allah did indeed bestow the honor of His direct and unveiled vision upon His beloved Prophet during the Night of Miraj. The following narrations illustrate these views:

1. Abdullah ibn Abbas said:

«إنّا بنو هاشم نزعم أَنْ نقولَ: إنّ محمّداً قد رأى ربَّه مرَّتَين»([16])

“We, the Banu Hashim (family of the Prophet), claim that Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord twice.”

• Narrated from Abdullah ibn Abi Salamah: Abdullah ibn Umar asked Abdullah ibn Abbas if the Prophet had seen his Lord, to which he replied, “Yes.”

• Abdullah ibn Abbas stated: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord.” His student Ikrimah says he asked if the Prophet had seen his Lord, and he replied: “Yes, Allah kept conversation for Moses, made Abraham His friend, and gave our Master (Muhammad) the honor of His vision without any veil.”

• Anas ibn Malik said:

«إنّ محمّداً g رأَى ربَّه f»^([17])

“Indeed, Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord.”

• Ibn Abbas remarked:

«أَتَعْجَبُونَ أَنْ تَكُونَ الْخَلَّةُ لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَالْكَلَامُ لِمُوسى، وَالرُّؤْيَةُ لِمُحَمَّدٍ g، وَصَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَعِينَ»^([18])

“Do you wonder that friendship was for Abraham, speech for Moses, and vision for Muhammad (peace be upon him), and prayers of Allah be upon all of them?”

• Ka’b al-Ahbar expressed:

«إِنَّ الله قَسَّمَ رُؤْيَتَهُ وَكَلَامَهُ بَيْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمُوسَى، فَكَلَّمَ مُوسَى مَرَّتَيْنِ وَرَآهُ مُحَمَّدٌ مَرَّتَيْنِ»^([19])

“Allah divided His vision and speech between Muhammad and Moses. He spoke to Moses twice, and Muhammad saw Him twice.”

• Ibn Abbas mentioned:

«إنَّ مُحَمَّداً g رَأَى رَبَّهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ: (1) مُرَّةً بِبَصَرِهِ، (2) وَمَرَّةً بِفُؤَادِهِ»^([20])

“Indeed, Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord twice: once with his physical sight and once with his heart.”

• When Marwan asked Abu Huraira if the Prophet had seen his Lord, he replied: “Yes,” affirming that the Prophet had indeed seen his Lord.

Islamic scholars about whether Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw Allah during the Night of Miraj.

1. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was asked if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw Allah. He repeatedly affirmed, “He saw Him, He saw Him, He saw Him,” until he became breathless.
2. Imam Qadi Iyad states,

“إنّ الحسنَ كان يَحلِفُ بِالله: لقَد رَأَى محمّدٌ ربَّه”^([21]) “امام حسن بصری

“Imam Hasan Basri used to swear by Allah that Muhammad (peace be upon him) indeed saw his Lord.”

3. Imam Shahabuddin Khafaji mentions,

“أنّ الأصحَ الراجح أنّه g رأى ربَّه بعَين رأسِه حين أُسرِي به، كما ذهب إليه أكثرُ الصحابة”^([22])

“It is most correct and preferred that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord with his physical eyes during the Night of Miraj, as most of the Companions believed.”

4. Imam Nawawi explains,

“إنّ الراجحَ عند أكثر العلماء إنّ رسول الله g رأى ربَّه بعَينَي رأسِه ليلةَ الإسراء؛ لحديث ابن عباس وغيره مما تقدّم، وإثباتُ هذا لا يأخذونه إلّا بالسماع من رسول الله g”^([23])

“The predominant opinion among most scholars is that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord with his physical eyes on the Night of Isra (Miraj), based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas and others. This is a fact they only accepted upon hearing it from the Prophet himself.”

5. Imam Abu al-Qasim Qushayri relays that Imam Abu al-Hasan Noori said,

“شاهَد الحقُّ القلوبَ، فلم يرَ قلباً أشوَقَ إليه من قلب مُحَمَّدٍ g، فأكرَمَه بالمعراج تعجيلاً للرُؤية والمكالمة”^([24])

“Allah found no heart more longing for Him than the heart of Muhammad (peace be upon him), so He honored him with Miraj, granting him the privilege of vision and conversation.”

6. Imam Shihabuddin Qastallani

“مَن أثبتَ له أنّه رآه بقلبه، أنّ الرؤيةَ التى حصلت له خُلقت له فى قلبه كما تخلق الرُؤية بالعَين لغيره، والرؤيةُ لا يشترط لها شيءٌ مخصوصٌ عقلاً، ولو جرت العادةُ بخلقها فى العين”^([25])

asserts that those who confirm the Prophet’s heart vision mean that just as sight is created in the eyes of others, vision was created in the pure heart of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sight does not require any specific physical component logically, even though it is typically created in the eyes.

7. Imam Burhanuddin Halabi says,

: “واختلف في رؤيته g لربِّه تبارَك وتعالى تلك الليلةَ، فأكثرُ العلماء على وُقوع ذلك: أي أنّه g رآه e بعَين رأسِه”^([26])

“There is a difference of opinion about his seeing his Lord on that night, but most scholars agree that he saw Him with his physical eyes.”

More Scholars Opinions

8. Allama Ismail Haqqi, while presenting a rational argument, states,

“ومِن المُحال أن يدعوَ كريمٌ كريماً إلى دارِه ويضيِّف حبيبٌ حبيباً في قصرِه، ثمّ يتستر عنه ولا يُرِيه وجهَه”^([27])

“It’s inconceivable that a generous host invites a noble guest to his palace, only to hide and not show his face to his beloved.”

9. Allama Sayyid Mahmood Alusi Baghdadi, reporting the view of those who believe in the Prophet’s vision, says,

“إنّه m رأى ربَّه c بعينه”^([28])

10. “Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw his Lord with his eyes.”
11. Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi remarks, “Isn’t it surprising that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken to such a high station, granted special solitude, and yet not honored with the vision of Allah, the most high and ultimate desire?”
12. Imam Ahmad Raza in “Sharh Hamziyyah” states, “Moses was granted the privilege of speech, our Prophet (peace be upon him) received a similar night of Isra, and in addition, the closeness and the vision of Allah with his physical eyes. How different is Mount Tur, where Moses spoke to Allah, from above the Throne, where our Prophet conversed with Allah!”

Conclusion

The event of Miraj and the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) honor of seeing Allah is a testament to the rewards bestowed by Allah upon His servants who seek Him sincerely, adhere to their duties, and maintain righteousness. It’s a reminder to follow the commands of Allah and His Prophet, adhere to obligations, engage in good deeds, avoid sins, and live as righteous servants of Allah.

Dua

May Allah grant us the ability to act accordingly, forgive our sins, and make us obedient servants. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds!

And peace and blessings of Allah be upon the best of His creation, our leader, Prophet, beloved, and the delight of our eyes, Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

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([6]) في “مجمع بحار الأنوار”: “كفاحا” أي: “مواجهة ليس بينهما حجاب ولا رسول” [حرف الكاف، كفح، 4/424]. “کفاح کا معنی  بالمشافہ دیدار کرنا ہے، جبکہ درمیان میں کوئی پردہ  اور قاصد نہ ہو”۔

([7]) “تاريخ دِمشق” حرف الألف، باب ذكر عروجه إلى السماء واجتماعه بجماعة من الأنبياء، ر: 800، 3/517.

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([11]) پ27، النجم: 9.

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([14]) پ27، النجم: 11.

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([24]) “الرسالة القشيرية” فصل في بيان اعتقاد هذه  الطائفة في مسائل الأصول، صـ10.

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