Englishby Abul hasan 'Ali Nadwi
It was during this period that the Prophet found himself transported at night to the K'abah and from there to the place of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, where Masjid-ul-Aqsa now stands. Then he was borne to the celestial regions where he witnessed the seven heavens, met the prophets of yore and saw the remarkable signs of divine majesty about which the Qur'an says:
"The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold, verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord." (Qur'an 53:17-18.)
Occurrence of the event
at that time was meant to confer dignity upon the Apostle; it signified something like viands of higher regale in order to console and alleviate the feelings of distress caused to him by the persecution of the pagans at Ta'if.
After the Ascension incident, the Apostle told the people about his nocturnal journey, but the Quraysh mocked him and shook their heads stating that it was inconceivable and beyond the bounds of reason. When Abu Bakr saw the Quraysh accusing the Apostle of falsehood he said, "what makes you wonder about it? If he said this, then it must be true. By God, he tells me that the revelation descends upon him from Heaven in a flash or in an instant during the day or night and I testify for him . This is even more unimaginable and difficult than what seems to astound you.1
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1 1 Ibn Kathir,
Footnotes:
Ibn Kathir, Vol. II, p. 96, Ibn Hisham, Vol. I, p. 399
Source: http://www.icsfp.com/EN/Contents.aspx?AID=481