Is it true that our beloved Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw Allaah The Almighty on the night of Al-Mi'raaj (the Ascension)?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The majority of the people of knowledge among the Companions and those who came after them are of the view that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not see His Lord on the night he ascended to the heavens, and this is the correct opinion.

However, some people of knowledge are of the view that he saw His Lord.  This view is held by ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas and others.

The correct opinion is the first, as Imam Muslim reported that Abu Tharr said that he had indeed asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about whether he saw his Lord or not.  The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, responded to him: "I saw a light," in another narration: "A light; how could I see Him?”

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that Masrooq said, "She (‘Aa’ishah ) said, ‘O Abu ‘Aa’ishah, if anybody says three things then he indeed said a big lie.’ So I said, ‘What are they?’  She said, ‘Whoever claims that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw his Lord, he has indeed said a big fallacy about Allaah....then I said, ‘O Mother of the Believers, please be patient with me and do not rush me up; did Allaah not Say: {And indeed he (Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saw him in the clear horizon (towards the east).} [Quran, 81:23] and {And indeed he (Muhammad) saw him at a second descent (i.e. another time)} [Quran, 53:13].

“She said, ‘I am the first of this Ummah who asked the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, about this, and he said: "It is Jibreel (Gabriel; I did not see him in his original form except on these two occasions…"’ Then she said, ‘Did you not hear that Allaah Says (what means): {No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things.} [Quran, 6:103], and did you not hear that Allaah Says (what means): { It is not given to any human being that Allaah should speak to him unless (it be) by Inspiration, or from behind a veil, or (that) He sends a Messenger to reveal what He wills by His leave. Verily, He is Most High, Most Wise} [Quran, 42:51].”

What has been reported in some narrations is that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saw his Lord in a dream.

At-Tirmithi and others reported that Mu'aath ibn Jabal narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "…then I performed Wudhoo', prayed what Allaah decreed for me to pray, then I slept during my Salah, and I slept deeply, and I was in front of my Lord, in the best form.”

Allaah Knows best.