سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْٓ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَاۗ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”
Al-Isra’ and Mi’raj (Night Journey and Ascension) was a miraculous, single-night journey where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem (Isra) on the Buraq, then ascended through the seven heavens (Mi’raj), met previous prophets, witnessed heaven and hell, conversed with Allah, and returned with the five daily prayers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Phase 1: Al-Isra’ (The Night Journey to Jerusalem)
- Preparation: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (PBUH) in Mecca, cleaned his heart with Zamzam water, and brought the Buraq, a fast, winged steed.
- Stops & Prayers: The Prophet stopped at significant locations, including Medina (the future site of Hijrah), Mount Sinai (where Musa/Moses received revelations), and Bethlehem (where ‘Isa/Jesus was born), praying at each spot.
- Masjid al-Aqsa: Upon arriving in Jerusalem, the Prophet (PBUH) led all the previous prophets in prayer. [2, 3, 7, 8, 9]
Phase 2: Al-Mi’raj (The Ascension to the Heavens)
- Ascension: Guided by Jibril, the Prophet ascended to the heavens on a staircase (al-mirqat).
- The Seven Heavens: At each level, he was greeted by prophets:
- 1st Heaven: Adam.
- 2nd Heaven: Yahya (John) and ‘Isa (Jesus).
- 3rd Heaven: Yusuf (Joseph).
- 4th Heaven: Idris.
- 5th Heaven: Harun (Aaron).
- 6th Heaven: Musa (Moses).
- 7th Heaven: Ibrahim (Abraham), who was leaning against Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur.
- Sidrat al-Muntaha: The Prophet reached the “Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary,” beyond which even Jibril could not pass.
- Divine Conversation: The Prophet (PBUH) was brought into the presence of Allah, where the five daily prayers were ordained. [1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 11]
Return and Aftermath
- The Gift: The prayers were initially fifty, but reduced to five following advice from Prophet Musa, yet retaining the reward of fifty.
- Return to Makkah: The Prophet returned to Mecca before dawn the same night.
- Quraysh Reaction: When the Prophet shared his journey, the Quraysh mocked him, but Abu Bakr immediately believed him, earning the title “As-Siddiq”. [3, 4, 12]
Throughout the journey, the Prophet witnessed various scenes representing the consequences of actions, including punishments for those who missed prayers, gossiped, or consumed forbidden (haram) things. [13, 14]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[2] https://muslim.sg/articles/isra-mi-raj-the-miraculous-night-journey-of-the-chosen-one
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL1V7DoVYdM
[4] https://alazharclasses.com/al-isra-wal-miraj-the-story-of-the-miraculous-night-journey/
[5] https://simplyislam.academy/blog/story-of-al-israh-wal-miraj
[6] http://www.almustafaacademy.ca/sites/default/files/Israa%20and%20Miraj%20Journey.pdf
[8] https://www.islamawareness.net/Isra/miracle.html
[9] https://islamicrelief.org.au/isra-and-miraj/
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isra%27_and_Mi%27raj
[11] https://tehreekdawatefaqr.com/miraj-holy-prophets-night-journey/