Al-Burāq (البُراق "lightning") is a mythological steed comparable to the Greek Pegasus, believed to be a creature from the heavens which transported the various Islamic prophets.
Islamic sources describe it as a tall, white, handsome-faced, long eared, bridled male beast, bigger than a donkey but smaller than a mule. It has two wings on its thighs and its step is so wide that it "reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal's sight."[1][2]
Some traditions also describe it with the head of a woman and the tail of a peacock,[3] similar to the Hindu Goddess Sri Kamadhenu who is sometimes depicted as a winged cow with a peacock's tail and the head of a woman.[4]
Muslims believe that the Buraq carried Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to the seven heavens, from the heavens to the then non-existent "farthest mosque" (Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem) and back to Mecca during the Isra and Mi'raj or "Night Journey".
During his visit to the heavens, prior to meeting with Allah, Muhammad met with various prophets, including Musa (Moses) who allegedly wept because there would be more Muslims in heaven than Jews.[5]
The journey is an event which is now celebrated by Muslims every year,[6] and is the title of one of the chapters of the Qur'an (Al-Isra, "The Night Journey"). Sahih sources further tell us that the event was a very literal journey and not a dream.[7]
The Buraq was also said to transport Ibrahim (Abraham) when he visited his wife Hagar and son Isma'il (Ishmael). According to tradition, Abraham lived with one wife in Syria, but the Buraq would transport him in the morning to Mecca to see his family there, and take him back in the evening to his Syrian wife.[8]
http://wikiislam.net/wiki/BuraqThis is a pegasus:
(Clicky for piccy!)It's a creature from Greek mythology...
These are two early Islamic depictions of Mohammed on buraq (notice how the face of Mohammeds is not drawn)
(Clicky for piccy!) (Clicky for piccy!)The interesing part of the two paintings are the TAILS.
In one picture buraq has a cow's tail, in the other a peacock's tail. Also look at the hoofs: They are split,like in a cow...
This is telling us something about were the idea was taken from:
(Clicky for piccy!)The Hindi Goddess Shri Kamadhenu is sometimes depicted as a cow, but also as a winged cow with a peacock's tail and the head of a woman,and a crown.
The Greek and the Indian mythology got mixed together, and we get a horse, instead of a cow,with a cow's or a peacock tail, and a crowned woman's head.
It seems Mohammed,not content to be the "fulfilment" of Judaeism and Christianity, is also saying that he can ride on Hindu godesses.
Topic: Flying horse donkeys