Isra, the famous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. Buraq,
the mythical Woman faced horse, came down from heaven to take Muhammad
first from Mecca to Jerusalem. However, the real Me'raj starts from
Jerusalem
The following images of Muhammad was drawn by 16th century Turkish artists (ref: "Early Islam" by Desmond Stewart. 1967. Time-Life Books. From the series Great Ages of Man).
Archangel Gabriel descends from heaven to prepare Muhammad for Me'raj.
Under the watchful eye of other winged angels Gabriel performs a surgery
to take Muhammad's heart out and washed it. Then he returns Mohammad's
heart inside the body. This operation by Gabriel fills Mohammad soul
with faith and wisdom
Once purified, Muhammad mounted on Buraq (a chimera of woman's face,
mule's body, and peacock's tail), which has the incredible ability to cover
a distance as far as the eye could see in a single bound. Riding
Buraq, the Prophet passed through Seven Heavens and enjoyed the rarest
previlege of all -- seeing Allah's unveiled face
Muhammed led a prayer (Salat) in a celestial Mosque.
Who's Who of prophets were all there.