The_Sidrat-al-Muntaha - I & II - An Islamic FolkTale of Modern Times. [2023 ed.]

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The Empyreus Garden An Islamic folktale of Modern Times by Grappy. This is a Grappy's folktale for all the Islamic friends. Preamble In the Holy Name of, the most Gracious, the most Powerful, and the most Merciful, the Greatest of the Great who was, who is, and who will forever. "Holy is He Who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque (in Makkah) to the farther Mosque (in Jerusalem) whose surroundings We have blessed that We might show him some of Our Signs."I ~ The Noble Qur'an 17:1.

The folktale itself is based on the Islamic story of “The ascent of The Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and peace be upon him) to the heaven” which is also known as Al-Isra' wal-Mi'rage where the prophet explored the paradise till the Sidrat al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Extremity) which is the Heavenly Symbolum of Faith, Love, and Hope, with the Holy Archangel Gabriel (The Jibra'il).

Al-Isra' Many many hundreds of years ago, it was a very pleasant night over the Holy Makkah. The Prophet Mohammad (Blessings and peace be upon him) had just finished the last prayer of the day with his family and friends, in the Great Mosque in Makkah.

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Wal-Miraj Where angel Jibreel and angel Mikal came to him and brought Buraq (a creature in Islamic tradition said to be a transport for certain prophets). The Prophet travelled to AlAqsa Mosque in Buraq within a second. Anas Ibn Malik narrates that angel Jibreel offered Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a glass of milk and a glass of wine. The Prophet drank milk which was healthy and pure, That resulted in passing the special test. Finally, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to all seven stages of heaven with the angel Jibreel and the angel Mikal. In each stage, the prophet met and spoke to different prophets Adam, Jesus, John - the Baptist, Mary and Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Enoch, Elijah and Abraham. Everyone welcomed the prophet and gifted their knowledge. Especially Prophet Adam said "Welcome O pious, a Prophet and a pious son! Welcome you are amongst the family, O my son! What an amazing son you are! I am very proud of you!" During the journey from the first to the sixth, the prophet met many others, Serah, Eliezer, Hiram, Ebed-Melech, Jaabez, Bithiah, Peshotanu, Apollonius, Bhishma, Yudhisthira, Arjuna and many, many more to be named. Everyone welcomed and gifted the prophet with the best gifts. And, that was the end of the sixth Heaven.

The Empyrean The Seventh Heaven - The Home of the Holy Highness There was a monk in a radiant red robe with a pony tailed head was mediating, and guarding the big and beautiful door. As soon as The Gabriel and The Prophet Muhammad reached near, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to the monk who was guarding the door "The Holy Prince Gautama, I had a long desire to know you in person. With HIS blessings and with The Archangel Gabriel, that is now fulfilled." The Holy Prince Gautama opened his eyes from meditation and gifted the prophet with three heavenly fruits called Faith, Love and Peace. The Prophet Muhammad asked The Prince Gautama about big golden engraving on the big door. The Empyreus Garden - An Islamic FolkTake of Modern Times

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The Prince Gautama replied "It says "Marga - The Path, The Path to the Holy Highness." And, the door opened, eyes of the prophet were all most got blinded from the light coming out of the door, and The Holy Prince Gautama disappeared. The Archangel Gabriel said "Do not be afraid I am with you, enter in HIS Holy Home. Not everyone is worthy enough." As soon as the prophet entered, some angels started singing verses of The Injeel. Some angels started singing heavenly hymns and choirs. Some angels started singing Buddhist chants. The Prophet Muhammad thanked and praised The Holy Highness, The LORD. And, the offered his best prayers to the LORD. The LORD, HIMSELF, very much pleased and blessed the prophet with many blessings and Heavenly Divine Knowledge. The LORD commanded many angels to be at the service of the prophet. The LORD commanded the Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael to show around the Empyrean. The Holy Lion and Holy Lamb introduced the prophet to many heavenly beasts. The Archangel Michael showed the heavenly arsenal, and his training school. In fact, these did not attract the prophet at all. The Archangel Michael said "I know the prophet, none of these will catch any of your interest. Let Holy Raphael take you to The Empyreus Garden. You will definitely find it more pleasant."

The Empyreus Garden The Garden of the Heaven The Archangel Raphael took everybody to The Empyreus Garden. The Prophet Muhammad could easy entered the Garden of Empyreus with three Archangels through the entrance gate guarded by two seraphs. The Empyreus Garden - An Islamic FolkTake of Modern Times

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As soon as The Prophet Muhammad entered The Heavenly Garden, all Raphael's angelic fairies showered pleasant and aromatic flowers on all four. And, started singing pleasant melodies. The Prophet Muhammad was very pleased and amazed by the beauty of the Garden which full of heavenly springs, and heavenly fountains, fruits, and flowers. The Archangel Raphael explained everything to the prophet. Finally, they arrived at a tree.

The Sidrat al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Extremity) The tree itself is surrounded by thousands of thousands uncountable angels. And, guarded by immeasurable heavenly holy beasts. The branches of which glow with indescribable beautiful different colours and leaves play very pleasant heavenly hymns and melodies. The fruits of which are full with many heavenly virtues, blessings, and knowledge. The receivers of its fruit are blessed with many virtues and Holy Knowledge. As soon as the Prophet reached closer to the tree along with three Archangels, a branch of the tree bended toward the Prophet, and, a nice aromatic fruit came out. The Prophet Muhammad tried to grab the fruit by a little jump. The tree itself moved far by thousands of thousand yards away. All three Archangels took the Prophet closer to the tree, again. As soon as the Prophet reached closer, a branch of the tree bended toward the prophet, and, the fruit came out again. And, the tree moved thousands of thousands yards away, as the prophet jumped little higher this time to grab the fruit. The Archangels took the prophet closer to the tree, one more time. Then, the Archangel Gabriel explained to the prophet. This Tree (shajarat) in the seventh heaven is planted by the LORD himself, at which terminates the knowledge of the angels (`ilm al-mala'ikat). And none knows what is beyond it except the LORD for it marks the boundary for all the Empyreans. Then The Prophet bowed down to the Holy Tree, and offered his best prayer to the LORD. The Empyreus Garden - An Islamic FolkTake of Modern Times

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The LORD presented HIMSELD, and said "My beloved Prophet, This one - The Fruit, you were trying to grab. Was not it? This one is especially for you, my beloved prophet." All the Archangels laughed with full of joy. And, The Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him) thanked, praised, and prayed the LORD one more time. The LORD blessed him with the divine knowledge. And, all of us are enjoying the flavour and taste of the fruit, though The Holy Qur'an even today. Amen *** Authors: Grappy, with Yusuf and Ayesha. Edited by: Jimmy and Katya's MoM Editor: TextMaker PS: This is just a folktale by Grappy. And, it has absolutely nothing to do with any religious scripture. The story of the Lote Tree of the Extremity “The Sidrat al-Muntaha” is very specific to Islam, so does this story as well. Hence, it is being published in a Public Domain can be re-told in a way (or in many ways) that pleases more. Published under WTFPL licence in a Public Domain.

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The Empyreus Garden II (The Sidrat al-Muntaha Part-II)

An Islamic folktale of Modern Times by Yusuf, Ayesha and Grappy.

The Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Elijah After the LORD blessed the Prophet Muhammad with the heavenly fruit of the “Sidrat al-Muntaha” (the Lote tree of the extremity), which is full of heavenly virtues, blessings and divine knowledge, the Prophet Muhammad asked the LORD “Who does take care of this awesome garden?” The LORD said “No one, Holy Raphael used to take care of it, but, my beloved Holy Raphael got so busy in healing the people lately.” Furthermore, the LORD asked the Prophet Muhammad “Why don't you help me to find out a righteous person who can take care of my garden.” The Prophet Muhammad agreed. The LORD said to the Prophet “Find at-least three persons who believe in me, and send them to me immediately as soon as you find them, before finding the next one. And, I will select one out of the three.” The Prophet Muhammad requested Prophet Elijah to accompany him. And, The LORD granted Prophet Elijah for his company. The Empyreus Garden - II - An Islamic FolkTake of Modern Times

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Holy Mosque of Makkah The Prophet Muhammad with the Prophet Elijah, in his chariot, descended first in the Holy Mosque in Makkah. There was only one person praying. The Prophet Muhammad and Elijah sent him immediately to the LORD while he was praying. And, both of them kept on looking for the second one. The LORD immediately turned the Empyrean to look exactly like the Holy Mosque of Makkah, and turned HIMSELF into a vary similar look of a local Makkah person. When his prayer was over, the LORD asked "What were you praying for?" He said “I was praying the LORD to bless me with the lamp of Aladdin, so with Jinny of the lamp, I can be powerful, and rule over whole world.” The LORD sent him back immediately, even before he could ever realize.

Holy Mosque of Jerusalem The Prophet Muhammad and Elijah came into the Holy Mosque in the Jerusalem. And, there was also only one person praying. They sent him to the LORD as soon as they found him. It became so difficult for both prophets to find the third one, as no one else was praying. The LORD turned the Empyrean to look exactly like the Holy Mosque of Jerusalem. And, asked him once his prayer was over “What were you praying for?” He replied “I was praying HIM that the beautiful daughter of my neighbour could fall in love with me, so I could marry her. As I am rich, I can take care of her.” He was also sent back immediately to where he was. Meanwhile, the Prophet Elijah told the Prophet Muhammad “Are you hungry? There is a small but very descent restaurant here in Jerusalem run by a pious family, whose ancestors were very religious and believers, Let’s check it out.”

At the restaurant The Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet Elijah arrived at the restaurant. They approached a young boy at the counter and Prophet Elijah asked him “Where is your father?” The young boy pointed out to a corner of the adjacent room where his father was praying. Both prophets were so happy and very much relieved to see that. They sent his father as soon as they saw him praying. And, The young fellow served them very delicious foods. The Empyreus Garden - II - An Islamic FolkTake of Modern Times

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The LORD turned the Empyrean exactly same as his restaurant, the room he was praying, and asked him “What were you praying for?” in the form of his customer. He replied “I was praying and praising HIM for HIS blessings. With HIS blessings, I have a sober and loving wife, an elder son, and a young beautiful daughter. Everyone believes in HIM. With HIS blessings, I have a small, but, enough of business. My both kids are very pious and sharp in study as well. So, I was praising HIM for HIS blessings.” The LORD was very much pleased and took him to The Empyreus Garden, and asked him if he is interested to take care-of it. He replied “I love to do so.” Then, the LORD turned his backyard into a nice and beautiful garden with full of chirping beautiful birds and colourful butterflies. And, commanded him to take care of the garden in his backyard, and sent him back with many more blessings. Once his prayer was over, he felt like he nodded-off and he was dreaming. He rushed to his backyard and saw beautiful birds and butterflies that he had already seen while praying. He could not believe his own eyes. Then, he rushed to his elder son with full of joy, and asked him if anybody visited the restaurant while he was praying. His elder son pointed to the table were the prophet Muhammad and Elijah were enjoying delicious food. But, there was no one! He advised his wife to prepare everyone for the Hajj. And, so they did with HIS blessings. Amen *** Authors: Yusuf and Ayesha with Grappy. Yusuf and Ayesha, they both remained blessed and lucky for the Hajj with their parents. Edited by: Jimmy and Katya's MoM. Editor: TextMaker. PS: This is just a folktale. And, it has absolutely nothing to do with any religious scripture. Published under WTFPL licence in a Public Domain.

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