Where is the "Heavenly Ascent of the Prophet" (Miraj)?

Having saddled the mystical winged horse with a human head – Burak, he began his journey from Mecca, from where went to Jerusalem with indescribable speed, soaring into the sky and overcoming the spheres. Abd al-Razzak was a contemporary of Behzad, and possibly his apprentice. The artist paints the moment when Muhammad flies over the sacred Kaaba, gaining altitude, welcomed by the angels. This miniature is currently kept in the British Library.

Abd al-Razzak participated with Behzad and other kitabkhana artists in the design of Nizami's Khamsa.

There are two centers in miniature. They create a vertical that emphasizes the vertical ascension of the Prophet to heaven – the Kaaba shown from a high point of view and Muhammad towering directly above it. The night sky filled with stars is almost hidden by the radiance of flames enveloping the figure of the Prophet in a sparkling halo, riding on Burak, surrounded by a host of angels with multi-colored wings. The Prophet Muhammad, according to the Timurid tradition, in contrast to later miniatures, is depicted with an open face and in a brown, not green kaba; a clear silhouette stands out against the background of the raging fire element. The fanciful play of flames and the rhythm of the wings of celestial creatures give dynamism to the miniature, and the glow of gold emphasizes the mystical significance of the scene.

You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "The legacy of Kamal ud-din Behzad in the World Collections" (L volume) in the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections".

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