Muhammad told his followers about a strange experience that he once had.

'One night, the angel Gabriel came to me, bringing a white horse. On this horse, I travelled first to Jerusalem, from where I ascended to the Heavens. At each level, Gabriel introduced me to all the other Prophets, including Adam, Isa (Jesus), Yusuf (Joseph) and Musa (Moses). Musa cried when he met me. When Gabriel asked him the reason for his tears, Musa explained, "I led many of my followers to Paradise. But this young prophet, who came after me, will lead many more than me."

When I reached the seventh Heaven, I was made to climb an enormous tree. The leaves on the tree were bigger than the ears of an elephant. Then I saw four rivers, a giant house and three jars, containing wine, honey and milk. The jar containing milk was given to me and I drank from it. A voice said, "This is the religion which you are following".

Then the voice said, "Your followers must pray fifty times a day." I made my way back to Earth. But on the way I met Musa. When I told Musa what Allah had commanded, Musa said, "I tried to make my followers pray fifty times a day, but they failed. Return to Allah and ask for the number of prayers to be reduced."

So I returned back to the seventh heaven and the number of prayers was reduced to forty. On my way back down to Earth, I met Musa again. "Forty is too many! Return again to Allah and plead for the number of prayers to be reduced." So I returned and Allah, the Merciful, reduced the number of prayer to thirty.

This happened several more times, until the number of prayers was reduced to five. But five prayers still seemed too many to Musa, who urged me to return again.

But I refused. "My Lord has shown me so much mercy that I shall not return." Then I descended to Earth.'

Over the place where Muslims believe Muhammad was taken up to Heaven, there now stands a huge mosque. This mosque is called the Dome of the Rock. It is the most important mosque in Jerusalem.