Qom University Comparative Interpretation Research 2476-4191 11 1 2025 05 22 A Historical-Comparative Analysis of the Prophet’s Ascension A Historical-Comparative Analysis of the Prophet’s Ascension 203 228 3382 10.22091/ptt.2025.12080.2419 FA Zeinab Shams Ph.D. Candidate, Theology Department, Faculty of Literature, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran. 0000-0002-6984-6552 Hamidreza Fahimitabar Associate Professor, Theology Department, Faculty of Literature, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0000-0002-6984-6552 Hossein Sattar Associate Professor, Theology Department, Faculty of Literature, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0000000169525882 Mohammad Hasan Saneai Pur Associate Professor, Theology Department, Faculty of Literature, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0000-0003-4284-524X Journal Article 2025 01 08 A comparison of contemporary constructed notions, such as the Prophet’s (PBUH) ascension, with their roots reveals a clearer picture of them. Despite the consensus among Muslims on the ascension itself, a review of Islamic sources shows differing opinions on its various components, reflecting the diversity of perspectives on it over time. This research seeks to uncover how views on the Prophet’s ascension were at the beginning and after three centuries, and what factors influenced the emergence and evolution of these perspectives. To this end, adopting the history of concepts approach and assuming the validity and authenticity of the views, the study first compares viewpoints from the first half-century and the latter half of the third century Hijri (comparative periods) in terms of the what, why, and how (comparative considerations) and then examines the commonalities and differences among the relevant views and analyzes the factors that shaped and transformed them. The findings indicate that the opinions of scholars, after accepting the possibility and manner of the ascension, have focused on its purpose and the benefits derived from its functions. Perspectives have evolved from regarding the ascension as falsehood or sorcery to perceiving it as a miracle, direct verbal revelation, a constitutive component of Islam, and a reliable reference for resolving doubts. The factors influencing these viewpoints include the ancient beliefs of the Arabs, the acceptance of the Prophet’s) prophethood, prevailing political and social conditions, and religious motivations. A comparison of contemporary constructed notions, such as the Prophet’s (PBUH) ascension, with their roots reveals a clearer picture of them. Despite the consensus among Muslims on the ascension itself, a review of Islamic sources shows differing opinions on its various components, reflecting the diversity of perspectives on it over time. This research seeks to uncover how views on the Prophet’s ascension were at the beginning and after three centuries, and what factors influenced the emergence and evolution of these perspectives. To this end, adopting the history of concepts approach and assuming the validity and authenticity of the views, the study first compares viewpoints from the first half-century and the latter half of the third century Hijri (comparative periods) in terms of the what, why, and how (comparative considerations) and then examines the commonalities and differences among the relevant views and analyzes the factors that shaped and transformed them. The findings indicate that the opinions of scholars, after accepting the possibility and manner of the ascension, have focused on its purpose and the benefits derived from its functions. Perspectives have evolved from regarding the ascension as falsehood or sorcery to perceiving it as a miracle, direct verbal revelation, a constitutive component of Islam, and a reliable reference for resolving doubts. The factors influencing these viewpoints include the ancient beliefs of the Arabs, the acceptance of the Prophet’s) prophethood, prevailing political and social conditions, and religious motivations. https://ptt.qom.ac.ir/article_3382_498d5763c514d64b5df851f00f21077e.pdf