Al-Mi‘raj of Mustafa ﷺ (Part 8): The Fourth Heaven — Meeting Prophet Idris عليه السلام and the Secrets of Maqām-e-‘Ulyā

Honored readers!

The celestial ascent of al-Mustafa ﷺ now reaches a station that the Qur’an itself immortalized with a single, profound phrase:

Leaving behind the luminous wonders of the Third Heaven, the Beloved Prophet ﷺ now enters the Fourth Heaven (Ẓāhirah or Dumū‘) — a realm described by early scholars as radiant like pure gold, a station of knowledge, elevation, and divine administration.

1. The Gate of the Fourth Heaven and the Ocean of Angels

As in the previous heavens, Sayyiduna Jibrīl عليه السلام approached the celestial gate. The familiar, reverent exchange took place — a testimony that even the heavens operate by divinely established protocol.

When the gate opened, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ witnessed countless angels, ranks upon ranks, immersed in glorification.

Their Tasbīḥ

This moment alone teaches a silent lesson: the higher the station, the deeper the humility.

2. The Blessed Meeting with Prophet Idris عليه السلام

Within this exalted realm stood a noble Prophet — Sayyiduna Idris عليه السلام.

Upon seeing the Seal of Prophets ﷺ, he welcomed him with words preserved in the most authentic collections:

Who Was Prophet Idris عليه السلام?

According to Ahl-al-Sunnah scholarship:

• He was the first Prophet to write with the pen.
• A pioneer of knowledge, calculation, and celestial sciences.
• A symbol of ilm (knowledge) combined with ‘amal (action).

Imam Jalaluddin al-Suyuti and other mufassirūn explain that the Qur’anic phrase “Maqāman ‘Ulyā” refers specifically to this fourth heaven, where Idris عليه السلام was raised with body and soul.

3. The Sun: Its Reality and Celestial Administration

Some authoritative classical commentaries, including Sharḥ al-Mawāhib by Imam Zurqani, mention that the Fourth Heaven is closely connected to the administrative domain of the sun (ash-Shams).

The Prophet ﷺ was shown the sun’s obedience to divine command and the angels appointed over its movement. This vision shattered every illusion of randomness. Science observes; Prophethood witnesses.

4. Deeper Insight into Malak-ul-Mawt

While Malak-ul-Mawt was encountered earlier, some narrations recorded by Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari indicate that the Fourth Heaven serves as a principal administrative station for matters of life and death.

Here, the Prophet ﷺ witnessed how decrees are received from al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ and how mercy dominates for believing souls. This knowledge was not given to inform curiosity — but to prepare the Ummah.

5. Imam Ahmad Raza Khan & the Four Imams: A Unified Insight

Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi رحمه الله, in Fatawa Ridawiyyah, explains:

"The meeting with Idris عليه السلام in the Fourth Heaven is a declaration that knowledge elevates, and that Allah raised the rank of His Beloved ﷺ above all elevation."

The Four Imams agree: Knowledge without humility is incomplete. The pen is sacred because a Prophet held it.

6. A Tasbīḥ Never Heard Before

In this heaven, the Prophet ﷺ heard a glorification unlike any before:

A Pause Before Ascending Further…

The Fourth Heaven teaches us something deeply human: Elevation is not arrogance. Knowledge is not pride. The Beloved ﷺ observed all of this — not to claim greatness, but to carry mercy back to the earth.

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Trust Signal: All references in this article are taken from authentic Ahl-e-Sunnah sources including the Qur’an, Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, classical scholars, and Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رحمه الله.