Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 3779 — Surah Idha al-Sama'u Inshaqqat

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) concerning the noble saying of Allah Almighty "You will surely pass from stage to stage" [Surah al-Inshiqaq: 19] that he said (explaining its meaning): "It refers to your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (the various stages of his blessed life)", and in its explanation he (peace and blessings be upon him) says that its meaning is "(moving) from one state to another and from one condition to another".
Imam Ahmad bin Mani' transmitted this report in his Musnad, and all its narrators are thiqat (trustworthy), while a report of similar meaning is also found in al-Bukhari.