Back to search

Did the Prophet (peace be upon him) see four rivers during the Isra and Mi'raj, two of which are from this world (the Nile and others), and two that are unknown? And what is the clarification for this?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is narrated in the noble Hadith that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw four rivers: two apparent rivers, which are the Nile and the Euphrates, and two hidden rivers, which are in Paradise. Imam Al-Nawawi mentioned that their meaning is that these rivers originate from their source and flow as Allah wills until they emerge from the earth and course through it. It is also stated in another Hadith that Sayhan, Jayhan, the Euphrates, and the Nile are all rivers of Paradise. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar clarified that the two hidden rivers might be Al-Kawthar and Al-Salsabil. Some scholars are of the opinion that these rivers are truly from the rivers of Paradise, but when they descended to this world, they acquired the characteristics of earthly rivers, or that they are not truly from the rivers of Paradise but are the purest and best of rivers.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy