The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FID& ISMK~L IBN KATH~R 73
has he been given a mission?" "Yes," Gabriel answered. "Then welcome to him!
His arrival is a pleasure! "
"'And so he opened up. When I went in I found Adam therein. Gabriel said,
"This is your father Adam; greet him!" I did so and he saluted me in return,
saying, "Welcome to my pure son, to the pure Prophet!"
"'I was then taken up to the second heaven and when he asked to go inside, he
was asked who it was. The same responses and questions as before followed and
when I went in there were John and Jesus, who were cousins on the maternal side.
Gabriel again introduced me and we exchanged the same greeting as with Adam.
"'Then I was taken up to the thud heaven where Gabriel again asked entry
and was met with the same questions and responses. When I went in, there was
Joseph, whom I greeted, and I received welcome from him as before.
"'Taken to the fourth heaven, there were the same questions and responses
and when I went in I found Idris there, exchanged greetings, and he welcomed
me as before.
"'Brought up to the fifth heaven, the same questions and responses were
made, and when I entered there was Aaron, with whom I exchanged greetings
and from whom I received welcome.
"'Then at the sixth heaven the same questions and responses were made and
when I entered, there was Moses, with whom I exchanged greetings and who
made me welcome.
"'And when I went further on, he wept. When he was asked why, Moses
replied, "I weep because a young man who has received his mission after me will
have a greater number of his nation enter paradise than will of mine."
"'I was then taken to the seventh heaven where the same questions and
responses were made. When I went in there was Abraham, with whom I
exchanged greetings and who welcomed me.
"'Then I was raised up to the srdrat al-muntaha; there were four rivers, two
open to see, two hidden. I asked Gabriel, "What is this, Gabriel?" He replied,
"The two hidden rivers are those of paradise, while the two visible ones are the
Nile and the Euphrates."
"'Then the bayt al-ma%ur was raised for me to see, wherein each day 70,000
angels enter. I was then brought a vessel of wine, another of milk, and a third of
honey. I took the milk. Gabriel said, "That is al-$pai3 that you and your nation
follow."
"'Prayer was then enjoined on me, 50 prayers each day. Then I went back and
when I passed by Moses, he asked, L'What orders were you given?"
"'The Messenger of God (SAAS) replied, "I was ordered to pray 50 times
each day."
"'Moses commented, "Your nation can't manage 50 prayers a day. I swear, I
put people to the test before your time and I made some very severe requirements
13. The word has connotations of "God's way of creating", and therefore His plan or purpose.
See the Ezcyclopeedia oflslom.