Isra and Mi’raj is the miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem and then through the heavens to the presence of Allah. It was a comfort in a year of hardship and the occasion on which the five daily prayers were prescribed. This article tells the story from the Qur’an and authentic Hadith, and also mentions the Hijrah, the Prophet’s other great journey.
The Night Journey in the Qur’an
Allah begins Surah al-Isra with the event itself.
“Glory to Him who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs.”
Reference: Qur’an 17:1
The ascension is referred to in Surah an-Najm, which describes the Prophet ﷺ seeing signs of his Lord near the Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary (Qur’an 53:13-18).
What Happened in Isra and Mi’raj
According to the Hadith, Jibril took the Prophet ﷺ on the Buraq to Jerusalem, where he led the prophets in prayer. He then ascended through the seven heavens, meeting prophets including Adam, Isa, Yahya, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa and Ibrahim, and reached the Lote Tree (Sahih al-Bukhari 3207, Sahih Muslim 162).
The Gift of the Five Prayers
Fifty prayers were first prescribed. On the advice of Musa ؑ, the Prophet ﷺ returned to ask for reduction several times until five remained, with the reward of fifty (Sahih Muslim 162). Because of this, prayer is considered the most direct gift of the Mi’raj. Read more in the obligatory prayers in Islam.
The Reaction of the People
When the Prophet ﷺ told Quraysh, some denied it, and they asked him to describe Jerusalem, which he did accurately (Sahih al-Bukhari 3886). Abu Bakr ؓ said, “If he said it, it is true,” and was called al-Siddiq for his belief. This story reminds us that faith includes belief in the unseen when the report is authentic.
The Hijrah: The Other Great Journey
The Hijrah, the migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, marked the start of the Muslim community’s new life. Allah mentions the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr in the cave, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us” (Qur’an 9:40). Their journey, and the welcome of the Ansar, are narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari 3905.
Where Scholars Differ
Most scholars hold that the Isra and Mi’raj took place in one night, with body and soul, as Allah calls the Prophet ﷺ His “servant,” a word that includes both. A narration from ‘A’ishah and some early scholars described it as a vision of the spirit, but this is the minority view. They also differ on whether the Prophet ﷺ saw his Lord with his eyes: ‘A’ishah denied it and said he saw Jibril (Sahih Muslim 177), while Ibn ‘Abbas said he saw Him with his heart. The date is also disputed: no authentic text confirms the 27th of Rajab, and for this reason many scholars do not make the night a fixed celebration, though they encourage remembering the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Isra and Mi’raj?
Isra is the night journey to Jerusalem, and Mi’raj is the ascension to the heavens.
Is the 27th of Rajab confirmed?
No authentic text fixes the date, so scholars differ.
What is the main lesson?
The importance of prayer, patience in hardship and trust in Allah, as in Qur’an 94:5-6.
Conclusion
Isra and Mi’raj reminds Muslims that after hardship comes ease and that prayer is a gift from the heavens. Read also about prophethood in Islam.
