Middle East

الْبُرَاق (Arabic)

The Buraq- "the lightning" is a heavenly equine in Islamic tradition that notably served as the mount of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during his Isra and Mi'raj journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and up through the heavens and back by night.The Buraq is also said to have transported certain prophets such as Abraham over long distances within a moment's duration.

According to Islamic tradition, the Night Journey took place ten years after Muhammad announced his prophethood, during the 7th century. Muhammad had been in Mecca, at his cousin's home (the house of Fakhitah bint Abi Talib), when he went to al-masjid al-harām "the inviolable/sacred temple" (Al-Haram Mosque). While he was resting at the Kaaba, Gabriel appeared to him bringing the Buraq, which carried Muhammad in the archangel's company, to al-masjid al-aqṣá "the farthest/distant temple",[Quran 17:1] traditionally held to be in Jerusalem and identified with the Holy Temple (Bayt Al-Maqdis).