لَقَد رَأىٰ مِن آياتِ رَبِّهِ الكُبرىٰ

Certainly he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.

EXPOSITION

This verse should be referring to all the things the Prophet saw during the Night of Ascension, as discussed. This is what is also referenced in 17:1: that We might show him some of Our signs. Again, the intentional ambivalence regarding the signs is linked to the mysterious nature of the surah’s main theme.

As we alluded to earlier, these signs were of such a nature that seeing them in a physical state was not possible. Simply seeing Gabriel manifest his true form was reportedly too difficult for the Prophet to bear, resulting in him fainting. To be able to see things far beyond that, and to proceed to witness things which according to the reports even Gabriel was not able to see,^{‎[1]Recall the reports that stated Gabriel would be immolated if he proceeded any further (see for example Manaqib, 1/155).} the Prophet needed to leave behind his physical form. This was the significance of the miʿrāj, the second portion of the Night of Ascension.

Various things have been reported regarding what the greatest signs that the Prophet witnessed were. It has been reported that some of the early commentators and companions have said one of the great signs the Prophet saw were the green carpets of heaven filling up the whole horizon. Many also mention seeing Gabriel in his true form.^{‎[2]Tabari, 27/34; Tibyan, 9/427.} Others say that he saw Gabriel sitting on such a carpet.^{‎[3]Qurtubi, 17/98.} Of course such reports – if accepted – should not be thought of as limiting what he saw, but only as the smallest of examples.^{‎[4]Alusi, 14/52.} The truth is that such things could cheapen the significance of what he saw, while what he saw defied description.

[1] Recall the reports that stated Gabriel would be immolated if he proceeded any further (see for example Manaqib, 1/155).
[2] Tabari, 27/34; Tibyan, 9/427.
[3] Qurtubi, 17/98.
[4] Alusi, 14/52.