The Night Journey (Al Isra wa al Mi’raj)
On the 27th of the Islamic month of Rajab, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) embarked on the famous night journey to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and the heavens. This is known as Al Isra’ Wal Mi’raj, also known as ‘Isra and Mi’raj’ or ‘Shab-e-Meraj.’
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) night journey is divided into two stages: Al-Isra, the earthly night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, and Al-Miraj, the ascension from Jerusalem to the heavens.
Understanding the Journey: Al-Isra
The Prophet’s (PBUH) journey began from the house of Umm-e-Hani, near the Kaaba in Mecca.
Angel Jibreel presented him with the Buraq, a mystical horse-like animal capable of going great distances in the blink of an eye. He rode the Buraq to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
Here, he met the 124,000 prophets and messengers who had come before him and led them all in prayer.
On this night, the Prophet (PBUH) was presented with two vessels, one full of wine and the other full of milk, to choose from. The Prophet (PBUH) chose the vessel full of milk.
The Angel Jibreel said, “All praise is due to Allah Almighty, who has guided you to that which is natural, for had you selected the wine, your nation would have been led astray.”
This was a test from Allah Almighty, which he passed.
The Ascension: Al-Miraj
In Miraj, the second part of the journey, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to the seven stages of heaven with Angel Jibreel, where he met and spoke to different prophets.
- Stage 1 – He met Prophet Adam.
- Stage 2 – He met Yahya (John the Baptist) & Prophet Essa (Jesus Christ)
- Stage 3 – He met Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
- Stage 4 – He met Prophet Idrees (Enoch)
- Stage 5 – He met Prophet Haroun (Aaron)
- Stage 6 – He met Prophet Musa (Moses)
- Stage 7 – He met Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham)
After that, the Prophet (PBUH) and Angel Jibreel reached a place called Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Ultimate Limit), a boundary beyond which no creation can pass. Here, the Prophet (PBUH) was graced with an audience with Allah Almighty. This is when he received the command for five daily prayers for Muslims, an important pillar of Islam.