The Hadith of the Night Journey (Al-Isra' wa-l-Mi'raj) is a foundational narrative in Islam. It is not a single, short hadith but a lengthy, detailed account compiled from multiple narrations, most prominently from Anas ibn Malik, and found in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
The narrative is divided into two parts:
Al-Isra' (The Night Journey): From Mecca to Jerusalem.
Al-Mi'raj (The Ascension): From Jerusalem up through the seven heavens.
Here is a summary of the events as described in the authentic hadith:
1. Al-Isra' (The Night Journey)
The Preparation: The Prophet Muhammad was in Mecca (in some narrations, in the Hijr of the Ka'ba or his home). The angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) came, opened the Prophet's chest, removed his heart, washed it with Zamzam water, and filled it with faith (${\text{īmān}}$) and wisdom (${\text{ḥikmah}}$).
The Mount: He was presented with al-Buraq, a white celestial creature, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, which placed its hoof at the farthest limit of its sight.
The Journey: The Prophet rode al-Buraq from Masjid al-Haram (Mecca) to Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).
Leading the Prophets: In Jerusalem, he tethered al-Buraq. He then led all the previous prophets (including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus) in a two-rak'ah prayer.
The Test: Jibrīl presented him with two vessels: one of milk and one of wine. The Prophet chose the milk. Jibrīl said, "You have chosen the fitrah (the natural, pure disposition)."
2. Al-Mi'raj (The Ascension)
The Ascent: From Jerusalem, Jibrīl took the Prophet through the heavens. At each of the seven heavens, Jibrīl would seek permission to enter. The gatekeeper would ask, "Who is it?" Jibrīl would reply, "Jibrīl." The gatekeeper would ask, "Who is with you?" Jibrīl would say, "Muhammad." The gatekeeper would ask, "Has he been sent for?" Jibrīl would affirm, and the gate would open.
Meeting the Prophets:
First Heaven: Met Adam. Adam greeted him as "righteous son and righteous Prophet."
Second Heaven: Met 'Isa (Jesus) and Yahya (John the Baptist). They greeted him as "righteous brother and righteous Prophet."
Third Heaven: Met Yusuf (Joseph). He greeted him as "righteous brother and righteous Prophet."
Fourth Heaven: Met Idrīs (Enoch). He greeted him as "righteous brother and righteous Prophet."
Fifth Heaven: Met Harun (Aaron). He greeted him as "righteous brother and righteous Prophet."
Sixth Heaven: Met Musa (Moses). He greeted him as "righteous brother and righteous Prophet." As the Prophet moved past, Musa wept. When asked why, he said, "I weep because a young man sent after me will have more of his followers enter Paradise than my followers."
Seventh Heaven: Met Ibrahim (Abraham), who was reclining against al-Bayt al-Ma'mur (the "Frequented House," the celestial equivalent of the Ka'ba). Ibrahim greeted him as "righteous son and righteous Prophet."
3. The Climax and the Command
Sidrat al-Muntaha: The Prophet was taken to the Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Farthest Boundary), which was covered in indescribable divine colors and beauty.
The Divine Command: Allah enjoined fifty daily prayers upon the Prophet and his followers.
The Consultation with Musa: On his descent, the Prophet passed Musa again. Musa asked what command he had received. The Prophet replied, "Fifty prayers." Musa urged him to return to Allah and ask for a reduction, saying, "Your people will not be able to bear it. I have experience with the Children of Israel and I know."
The Reduction: The Prophet went back and forth between Musa and Allah, and the command was reduced incrementally until it became five daily prayers.
The Final Word: Allah then declared: "They are five (in practice), and they are fifty (in reward). My word does not change."
The Prophet was then returned to Mecca. In the morning, he recounted the journey to the Quraysh, who mocked him. Abu Bakr, upon hearing the account, immediately affirmed its truth, earning him the title al-Siddiq (the Truthful).
The Reaction to the Night Journey
This incident is the most famous interaction involving the three figures. It is the event that earned Abu Bakr his title, al-Siddiq (the Truthful).
Abu Jahl to the Prophet:
The morning after the Night Journey, the Prophet Muhammad informed the people of Mecca about his journey. Abu Jahl (Amr ibn Hisham) heard this and mocked him. He sarcastically said, "Do you have any news for us?"
When the Prophet recounted his journey to Jerusalem and back in one night, Abu Jahl saw an opportunity to discredit him. He ridiculed the claim, saying words to the effect of: "We strike the flanks of our camels for a month to get to Jerusalem, and you claim to have gone there and back in one night?" He then gathered the people, asking the Prophet to repeat his story, and they joined in the mockery.
Abu Jahl (and other pagans) to Abu Bakr:
Thinking they could break the Prophet's closest companion, Abu Jahl and other pagans rushed to Abu Bakr's house. They told him:
"Have you heard what your companion (Muhammad) is saying? He claims that he was taken on a journey last night to Jerusalem!"
Abu Bakr, without hesitation, replied, "Did he say that?"
They said, "Yes!"
Abu Bakr famously responded: "If he said it, then it is true."
The pagans were stunned, "Do you actually believe him?"
Abu Bakr replied: "I believe him in something far greater than that. I believe him (about the revelation) that comes to him from heaven in an hour of the day or night."