8. What is (سِـدْرَة الْـمُـنْـتَـهَى ) Sidrat-ul-Munthaha ?

Ans: 'Sidrah' in Arabic means the lote-tree and 'muntaha' the extreme edge or limit. Thus, literally, sidrat-ul-muntaha means the lote-tree that is situated on the extreme edge or limit.

 

Sidrat al-Muntaha is located in the seventh heaven. It is so significant that the Paradise with all its greatness stands beside it. The Quran says, "Near it is the Paradise of Abode." (An-Najm, 53:15). [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)]

 

Everything that ascends from the earth is terminated there, everything that descends from above it is held there. The angels including Jibreel (AS) cannot go up to heavens beyond this point. The only human bestowed with special privilege to reach it and to go beyond that is, our Noble Prophet (ﷺ).

 

"Indeed he (Muhammad ﷺ) did see, of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah). (An-Najm, 53:18). Sidrat al-Muntaha exhibit mysteries of Divine Universe that is unimaginable to human mind. Quran says: "When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!" (An-Najm, 53:16). It is covered by a halo light of spectacular colours with such indescribable beauty and purity.

 

Its leaves are as large as an elephant's ear. Its fruits are as big as the mud jars produced in a place called Hajar of Yemen. Around the tree are number of golden butterflies flying making the whole place glowing with Divine light. It is narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ)that he had seen an angel standing on each leaf of Sidrat al-Muntaha glorifying and singing the praise of the Allah Almighty (سبحانه وتعالىٰ)

 

Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "When the Noble Prophet ﷺ was taken on the Isra' journey, to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, he saw angel Jibreel (AS) in his original form."  This is mentioned in Quran as "And indeed he (Muhammad ﷺ) saw Jibreel (AS) at a second descent" (53:13).

 

Lote tree is mentioned in Quran in two other places: "And those on the Right Hand, who will be those on the Right Hand (They will be) among thornless lote-trees, (Al-Waqia, 56:27 & 28). This will be a superior kind of the lote-tree to be only found in Paradise, and its fruit likewise will be much superior to that found in the world. It also mentioned in Surah Saba. (34:16).