BURAQ

 

BURAQ

"Buraq was a riding beast smaller than a mule and larger than an ass, having a face like that of a human being and ears like those of an elephant; its mane was like the mane of a horse; its neck and tail like those of a camel; its breast like the breast of a mule; its feet like the feet of an ox or, according to one tradition, like those of a camel; its hooves were like the hooves of an ox. Its breast looked just like a ruby and its hair resembled white armour, shining brightly by reason of its exceeding purity. On its flanks it had two wings which hid its legs. The swiftness of this riding beast was such that in a single stride it could reach as far as eye could see."

Muhammad Khwandamir, Habib As-Sijar Vol. I Part III

The buraq or burak is a mystical chimera mostly in the shape of a winged horse. She was the steed that took Muhammad on his journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then up to the heavens (this trip is known as the mi‘raj, or “ascension”) all in a single night. 

The Buraq Worshipped by Two Princes, Kashmir, 19th century & 

The Mi'raj from 1543 by Sultan Muhammad.

While this trip is mentioned in the Quran, the buraq itself is not. It's not mentioned until the eighth century in the earliest biography of the Prophet: winged beast, white in colour, smaller than a mule and larger than an ass”. It's another 500 years until it's mentioned that she had a human face. Because she's not directly from scripture the buraq is treated as lore. Things get added here and there. Embellishments are made and hybridization occurs.

It's in this tradition that I made my own little addition. The illustration that most inspired me to draw the buraq features, what I assume is, a flame coming from her forehead. My initial read was that it was a unicorn horn, so I kept it as such. I also liked that this version gave her human arms. This illustration is from and ancient Persian manuscript featured in The Strange and the Marvelous in the Lands of Islam.

 

As a bonus I've included this 19th century Italian illustration of the m'raj. I just think it's interesting because we don't usually see this event portrayed in this style.

Up next is a bizarre creature with roots in both Islam and Judaism.