Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj: The Story of the Miraculous Night Journey
Al-Israā wal-Miāraj (the Night Journey & Ascension) is a miracle second only to the revelation of the Qurāan, and it is therefore important that we donāt let this night slip by without reflecting on its lessons and its significance. Al Isra' wal-Mi'raj 2025 is predicted to take place on January 26th 2025, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Many of us only know the basic story of Al-Israā wal-Miāraj - that the Prophet (saw) was transported from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, from where he (saw) ascended to heaven. In fact, there were many stops along this incredible journey, and the story is packed with wonders and miracles. This blog will narrate the first half of the Miraculous Journey and we have included as much detail as we could. Enjoy!
Context of Al-Israā wal-Miāraj
Al-Israā wal-Miāraj took place during a time when the Prophet (saw) was facing intense hardship and pain. The Quraysh, who were his tribe and his family, constantly ridiculed, humiliated and oppressed the Prophet (saw) and his followers. Moreover, the Prophet (saw) had just faced the Year of Sorrow (āAam al-Huzn), during which he (saw) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (ra), and his uncle Abu Talib, who was his protector and ally.
In addition to all these burdens, when the Prophet (saw) had travelled to Taāif to spread the Islamic message, the people of Taāif had rejected him in the most cruel way, sending their children into the streets to stone him until he left the city.
Having gone through so much grief and suffering, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was given a truly beautiful and comforting gift. He was transported not only to the Sacred Sanctuary and through the skies, but ultimately into the Divine Presence, the source of all comfort and hope. One of the most important lessons of Al-Israā wal-Miāraj, therefore, is that āwith every hardship [there will be] easeā (The Noble Qurāan, 94: 5). Ā
Al-Israā: From the Kaābah to Al-Aqsa
When the Prophet (saw) was sleeping in the house of Umm Hani (ra) in Makkah he said, āthe roof of my house was opened and the Angel Jibril [as] descendedā (Bukhari). Scholars reconciling between various narrations, say the Prophet (saw) was then taken to the Hijr, the semi-circular wall of the Kaābah, where the Prophet (saw) said that Jibril (as), āopened 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 itā. [Bukhari]
The Prophet (saw) continued, āI 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 reachā. [ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×]
It is narrated by Anas (ra) that Buraq was, āsaddled and reined, but he shied from him (saw). So Jibril [as] said to him, āIs it from Muhammad [saw] that you do this? For nobody has ridden you who is more honourable to Allah than him!ā He said, āThen he started sweating profuselyāā. [Tirmidhi]
At several points along the journey, Jibraāeel (as) stopped Buraq and told the Prophet (saw), āDismount and prayā. The first stop was at āthe place of emigrationā 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 āIsa (as) was born.
The fourth stop was the grave of Musa (as),Ā āI happened to pass by Musa [as] on the night of my Night journey by the red sandhill whilst he was standing praying in his graveā (ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×). We know that his grave is located, āa stoneās throwā away from the holy land of the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa (Bukhari). This incident clearly shows us an example of what the Messenger of Allah (saw) said about Prophets (as) after they pass away that, āThe Prophets are alive in their graves prayingā (Abu Yaāla).
Arriving at Al-Aqsa
Finally, the Messenger of Allah (saw) arrived in the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and he said, āWhen we reached Bait al-Maqdis [literally āthe holy houseā another name for the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa] 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]ā (Tirmidhi). Waiting inside were all 124,000 Prophets (as). Jibraāeel (as) led the Prophet (saw) to the front, and he (saw) led them all in prayer in this blessed space.
Some narrations indicate that the Prophet (saw) prayed ātwo units of prayerā (ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×) to greet the Masjid (known as Tahiyyat al-Masjid). This is one of the first examples of this established Sunnah of the Prophet (saw). It is also mentioned that Jibril (as) called the Adhan (call to prayer) before this practice was even established later in Madinah and that the angels from the heavens descended to pray behind all the Prophets in this sacred place ā Subhan-Allah!
When the Prophet (saw) completed the prayer, he said, āsomeone said, āHere is Malik (as), the keeper of the Hell, so convey Salams to himā. So, I turned to him, but he preceded me in Salamsā (ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×).
The Messenger of Allah (saw) also said, āThe Prophets were presented to me, and Musa (as) was a thin man, it was as if he was from the men of Shanuāah [a Yemeni tribe]. And I saw āIsa ibn Maryam (as), and the closest of the people in resemblance to him from those I have seen, is āUrwah ibn Masāā d (ra). And I saw Ibrahim (as), and the closest of the people in resemblance to him, from those I have seen, is your companion [meaning himself]. And I saw Jibril [as], and the closest of the people in resemblance to him, from those I have seen, is Dihyah (ra)ā (Tirmidhi).
Part of what the Prophets (as) discussed after praising Allah was about āthe Hourā. Both Ibrahim (as) and Musa (as) stated that they ādid not have any knowledge of itā. Whilst āIsa (as) āmentioned the Dajjal (anti-Christ) and said,
āI will descend and kill him, then the people will return to their own lands and will be confronted with Gog and Magog, who will, āswoop down from every moundā [Qurāan, 21:96]āā. [Ibn Majah]
Following this, the Prophet (saw) said, āThen I came out and Jibril (as) brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. Then I chose the milk, and Jibril (as) said, āYou have chosen the natural state (Fitrah)āā (ŗ£½ĒĀŅĀ×).
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 centre 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 Miāraj, the Ascension!
Find out what happened next in our latest blog!
