Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj (the Night Journey & Ascension) is a miracle second only to the revelation of the Qur’an, and it is therefore important that we don’t let this night slip by without reflecting on its lessons and its significance.
The story of Al Isra Wal Miraj, the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is a significant event in Islamic history. This journey is divided into two parts: Al-Isra’, the night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, and Al-Mi’raj, the ascension to the heavens.
During Al-Isra’, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken on Buraq to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Here, he led a congregation of prophets in prayer. This part of the journey is supported by various Hadiths, including those in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, indicating its importance and authenticity in Islamic tradition.
The second part, Al-Mi’raj, involved the Prophet’s ascension through the seven heavens, where he met different prophets at each level, culminating in his experience at the Lote Tree and the Throne of Allah. This aspect of the journey, At several points along the journey, Jibra’eel (as) stopped Buraq and told the Prophet (saw), ‘Dismount and pray’. The first stop was at ‘the place of emigration’ i.e. Madinah – and soon after this night the Prophet (saw) would meet the Ansar and migrate to Madinah. The second stop was at Mount Sinai, where Allah (swt) revealed the Torah to Musa (as). The third stop was at Bethlehem, where ’Isa (as) was born.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) arrived in the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and he said, ’When we reached Bait al-Maqdis Jibril (as) pointed with his finger causing a crack in the rock, and he tied the Buraq to it [at the western wall of the noble sanctuary]’ (Tirmidhi 3132). Waiting inside were all Prophets (as). Jibra’eel (as) led the Prophet (saw) to the front, and he (saw) led them all in prayer in this blessed space.
The first evidence is from Quranic scripture Chapter 17 verse one ( Surah Isra’) :
سُبۡحٰنَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَسۡرٰى بِعَبۡدِهٖ لَيۡلاً مِّنَ الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡحَـرَامِ اِلَى الۡمَسۡجِدِ الۡاَقۡصَا الَّذِىۡ بٰرَكۡنَا حَوۡلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنۡ اٰيٰتِنَاؕ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيۡعُ الۡبَصِيۡرُ
Glory to Him who made His servant travel by night from the sacred place of worship to the furthest place of worship, by whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs: He alone is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.(Qur’an 17:1)
The second evidence is also from Quranic scripture, in Surah Najm Chapter 53: verses 5 to 18.
However, this evidence is a subtle reference to the second phase which is Al-Mira’j , unlike the first one which is clear and coherent evidence of the first phase Al-Isra’.
It was taught to him by [an angel] with mighty powers and great strength, who stood on the highest horizon and then approached––coming down
It was taught to him by [an angel]c with mighty powers and great strength, who stood on the highest horizon and then approached––coming down9 until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer––10 and revealed to God’s servant what He revealed. 11 [The Prophet’s] own heart did not distort what he saw. 12 Are you going to dispute with him what he saw with his own eyes? 13 A second time he saw him: 14by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 15 near the Garden of Restfulness,16 when the tree was covered in nameless [splendor].e 17 His sight never wavered, nor was it too bold, 18 and he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord
Evidence from hadith or prophetic narrations ﷺ:
There are numerous narrations from the prophetic ahadith to fortify the journey of Al-Isra’ wa Al Miraj, namely a few are mentioned below from authentic texts of Sahih bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi.
- When the Prophet (saw) was sleeping in the house of Umm Hani (ra) in Makkah he said, ‘the roof of my house was opened and the Angel Jibril [as] descended’ (Bukhari). Scholars reconciling between various narrations say the Prophet (saw) was then taken to the Hijr, the semi-circular wall of the Ka‘bah, where the Prophet (saw) said that Jibril (as), ‘opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it’.
- The Prophet (saw) continued, ‘I was then brought a white beast which is called al-Buraq [from the Arabic word barq, meaning lightning], bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. Its stride was as long as the eye could reach. [Muslim 416]
- It is narrated by Anas (ra) that Buraq was, ‘saddled and reined, but he shied from him (saw). So Jibril [as] said to him, “Is it from Muhammad [saw] that you do this? For nobody has ridden you who is more honorable to Allah than him!” He said, “Then he started sweating profusely”’. [Tirmidhi]
The dominant opinion is that the Prophet (saw) alongside Jibril (as) then proceeded to the Noble Rock (as-Sakhrah al-Musharrafah) that is currently housed by the holy Dome of the Rock Masjid at the center of the Noble Sanctuary (al-Haram ash-Sharif) of the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa. He (saw) ascended into the heavens for the next part of this incredible journey, the Mi‘raj, the Ascension!
Despite some objections and interpretations, the overall narrative of Al Isra Wal Miraj remains an integral part of Islamic belief, symbolizing the Prophet’s exalted status and the profound spiritual dimensions of Islam.
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