The Prophet Muhammad’s Ascent to Heaven (painting, verso; text, recto), folio from a manuscript of the Khamsa (Layla and Majnun) by Nizami

Unknown artist

1584

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Arthur M. Sackler Museum

A central figure rides a white horse through a starry blue sky, surrounded by winged figures in orange and blue robes. Decorative floral patterns adorn the borders of the paper. A central figure rides a white horse through a starry blue sky, surrounded by winged figures in orange and blue robes. Decorative floral patterns adorn the borders of the paper. The story of the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad is based on passages from the Qur'an (17:1, 53:1–18, and 81:19–25), as well as later hadith that describe his travel (isra' ) from “the holy mosque” to “the farthest mosque” as well as his ascent to heaven (mi'raj) and what he experienced there. Paintings of this wondrous event sometimes appear in illustrated manuscripts of Persian epic and romantic poetry, such as the Khamsa of Nizami. Even t