His blessed chest was opened on four occasions: The first was when he was at the home of Sayyidatunā Ḥalīmah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا. The wisdom behind this was to protect the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم     from the whispers and thoughts that cause children to incline towards play and mischief. The second time was at the age of ten years, so that he did not have to fear the dangers of youthful desires.

The third time his chest was opened was in Cave Hira, and his blessed heart was filled with light, peace and tranquillity so that he could bear the tremendous burden of divine revelation. The fourth occasion was on the Night of MiꜤrāj, when his chest was opened and filled with the treasures of light and wisdom. This was to create enough vastness in his heart and the ability to withstand the greatness of his Lord’s manifestation and speech.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The excellence of Burāq

O devotees of the Prophet! On the Night of MiꜤrāj, the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم   travelled via various conveyances and   reached Lā-Makān. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself said, “(On the Night of MiꜤrāj,) A white animal was brought to me. It was smaller than a mule and larger than a donkey, and it is known as Burāq. It would place its step as far as it could see. I was made to ride upon it.”^[2]

Commenting on this hadith, Mufti Aḥmad Yār Khān NaꜤīmī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: