The heavenly journey of the Prophet

"The heavenly journey of the Prophet forms a centerpiece of Muslim piety. Persian poets from the thirteenth century onward prefaced their epics with a colorful description of the miraj, the heavenly journey that brought the Prophet into the immediate presence of God. This miniature is particularly interesting as the Prophet is shown with his face unveiled, riding on the mysterious mount Buraq. Later pictures of Muhammad generally show him with a veil covering his face, and in more recent times even his entire body is usually symbolized by a white cloud or a rose." www.metmuseum.org

The Night Journey of Muhammad on His Steed, Buraq

Leaf from a copy of the Bustan of Sadi, dated 1514}
Painter: Unknown; Calligrapher: Sultan Muhammad Nur Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Colors, ink, and gold on paper; 7.5 x 5 in. (19 x 12.7 cm)
Purchase, Louis V. Bell Fund and The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1974 (1974.294.2)