What is Isra and Miraj? An In-Depth Exploration

Isra and Miraj, the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), are among the most significant events in Islamic history. This extraordinary journey, granted by Allah, took the Prophet (ﷺ) from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (Isra) and then through the heavens to the divine presence of Allah (Miraj). It was during this journey that Salah, the five daily prayers, was prescribed, making it a cornerstone of Islamic worship.

The Quran briefly mentions this miraculous journey:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَىٰ الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“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.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:1)

The Prophet (ﷺ) said about Salah, gifted during this journey:

الصَّلَاةُ عِمَادُ الدِّينِ
“Prayer is the pillar of religion.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2616)

Isra and Miraj teach profound lessons about faith, devotion, and the limitless power of Allah. This miraculous event remains a source of inspiration and spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide.

The Two Phases of Isra and Miraj

The event of Isra and Miraj is traditionally divided into two distinct parts:

1. Isra (The Night Journey): The Prophet (ﷺ) was transported from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
2. Miraj (The Ascension): From Jerusalem, he ascended through the heavens to meet his Creator and receive the gift of Salah (prayer).

The Isra in the Quran

The Quran explicitly references Isra in Surah Al-Isra (also known as Surah Bani Isra’il):

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَىٰ الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“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.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:1)

This verse captures the miraculous nature of Isra, emphasizing Allah’s glory and power. It also highlights the sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa and its significance in Islamic tradition.

The Miraj in the Quran

The Miraj, or ascension to the heavens, is alluded to in Surah An-Najm:

وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ . عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ . عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ . إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ
“And he certainly saw him in another descent, at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary – near it is the Garden of Refuge – when there covered the Lote Tree that which covered it.”
(Surah An-Najm 53:13-16)

This passage describes the Prophet’s (ﷺ) vision at Sidrat al-Muntaha, the boundary beyond which no creation can pass, underscoring the profound spiritual significance of Miraj.

The Hadith Narrations of Isra and Miraj

The details of Isra and Miraj are elaborated in numerous Hadiths, offering a vivid account of the journey.

The Night Journey: Isra

The Prophet (ﷺ) described the events of Isra in a detailed Hadith:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أُتِيتُ بِالْبُرَاقِ وَهُوَ دَابَّةٌ أَبْيَضُ طَوِيلٌ فَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ وَدُونَ الْبَغْلِ يَضَعُ حَافِرَهُ عِنْدَ مُنْتَهَى طَرْفِهِ، فَرَكِبْتُهُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ بَيْتَ الْمَقْدِسِ، فَرَبَطْتُهُ بِالْحَلْقَةِ الَّتِي يَرْبِطُ بِهِ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ…
“I was brought the Buraq, a white animal, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, which would place its hoof at the extent of its sight. I mounted it, and it took me to Bait al-Maqdis. I tied it at the ring used by the Prophets…”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 162)

The Ascension: Miraj

During Miraj, the Prophet (ﷺ) encountered various Prophets and witnessed significant scenes in the heavens:

…ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ… وَفِي كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ لَقِيتُ نَبِيًّا، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَفِي السَّمَاءِ الْأُولَى لَقِيتُ آدَمَ، وَفِي الثَّانِيَةِ يَحْيَى وَعِيسَى، وَفِي الثَّالِثَةِ يُوسُفَ، وَفِي الرَّابِعَةِ إِدْرِيسَ، وَفِي الْخَامِسَةِ هَارُونَ، وَفِي السَّادِسَةِ مُوسَى، وَفِي السَّابِعَةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ…

“…Then I was taken up to the heavens… In each heaven, I met a Prophet and greeted him. In the first heaven, I met Adam, in the second, Yahya (John) and Isa (Jesus), in the third, Yusuf (Joseph), in the fourth, Idris (Enoch), in the fifth, Harun (Aaron), in the sixth, Musa (Moses), and in the seventh, Ibrahim (Abraham)…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3207)

The Gift of Salah

One of the most significant outcomes of Miraj was the commandment of Salah (prayer):

فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى أُمَّتِي خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً، فَرَجَعْتُ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ مُوسَى، فَقَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ… فَخُفِّفَتْ إِلَى خَمْسِ صَلَوَاتٍ…
“Allah enjoined fifty prayers upon my Ummah. I returned with that until I met Musa, who said: ‘Go back to your Lord and ask for a reduction’… It was reduced to five prayers…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3207)

This reduction to five daily prayers, while retaining the reward of fifty, underscores Allah’s mercy and the central role of Salah in a Muslim’s life.

Lessons from Isra and Miraj

The Power of Allah

The miraculous nature of Isra and Miraj demonstrates Allah’s absolute power and ability to transcend the physical limitations of time and space.

The Importance of Salah

Salah, gifted during Miraj, is the cornerstone of Islamic worship. It serves as a direct connection between the believer and Allah.

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43)

Unity of Prophets

The Prophet’s (ﷺ) meeting with other Prophets highlights the unity of their mission in calling humanity to monotheism and righteousness.

The Sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa

The journey underscores the spiritual and historical significance of Masjid al-Aqsa, reminding Muslims of their duty to protect and honor it.

Celebrating Isra and Miraj

Isra and Miraj are among the most extraordinary events in Islamic history. This miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from Makkah to Jerusalem (Isra) and then to the heavens (Miraj) are a powerful reminder of Allah’s majesty and the Prophet’s (ﷺ) divine mission. It was during this journey that the five daily prayers (Salah) were made obligatory for the Muslim ummah, a gift and an important act of worship.

The Quran briefly describes this miraculous event:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَىٰ الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“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.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:1)

The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the significance of Salah, granted during this journey:

الصَّلَاةُ عِمَادُ الدِّينِ
“Prayer is the pillar of religion.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2616)

Celebrating Isra and Miraj is not just a commemoration of the journey itself but a reminder of the importance of prayer and strengthening our connection with Allah through worship. It encourages Muslims to reflect on the profound lessons of faith, devotion, and the limitless power of Allah.

Conclusion: What is Isra and Miraj

Isra and Miraj are monumental events in Islamic history, filled with profound lessons about faith, devotion, and the boundless power of Allah. The miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from Makkah to Jerusalem and through the heavens reminds Muslims of the sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa, the importance of Salah, and the unity of Prophets in spreading the message of monotheism.

The Quran highlights Allah’s supreme ability and the significance of this event:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَىٰ…
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa…”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:1)

The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the gift of Salah, given during this journey:

رَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الْإِسْلَامُ وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ
“The head of the matter is Islam, and its pillar is Salah.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2616)

Isra and Miraj call Muslims to strengthen their relationship with Allah through prayer, reflect on the miracles of faith, and uphold the values of unity, devotion, and obedience. May we draw inspiration from this sacred event and implement its lessons in our lives. آمين.

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