Isra and Mi'raj: The Miraculous Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

In the month of Rajab, Muslims commemorate one of the most miraculous events in human history: Al-Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension).

It was a journey that defied the laws of physics—a trip from Makkah to Jerusalem and then beyond the heavens, all in a single night. But more than a miracle, it was a message of hope and the moment the five daily prayers were gifted to the Ummah.

The Context: A Gift After Hardship

This journey (often dated to the 27th of Rajab) occurred during the "Year of Sorrow" ('Am al-Huzn). The Prophet ﷺ had just lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his protective uncle Abu Talib. He had faced rejection and stoning in the city of Ta'if.

At this lowest point of grief and adversity, Allah invited His beloved Messenger ﷺ to the highest heavens, showing that with hardship comes ease and that he was not alone.

Part 1: Al-Isra (The Night Journey)

The journey began when the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came to the Prophet ﷺ in Makkah with a mystical steed called Buraq.

"Glory be 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 of Our signs." (Quran 17:1)

In moments, they traveled to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. There, a profound gathering took place: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led all the previous Prophets (including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa) in prayer. This signified the unity of God's message and the Prophet Muhammad's status as the final Messenger.

Part 2: Al-Mi'raj (The Ascension)

From Jerusalem, the Prophet ﷺ ascended through the seven heavens (Al-Mi'raj). At each level, he met and greeted earlier Prophets, witnessing the realities of the Unseen, including Paradise and Hellfire.

Finally, he reached Sidrat al-Muntaha (The Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary), a point even Jibreel could not cross. There, he spoke directly with Allah Almighty.

The Gift of Salah

It was during this divine meeting that the five daily prayers (Salah) were obligated. Originally fifty prayers, the number was reduced to five through Allah's mercy (and the advice of Prophet Musa), yet the reward remains that of fifty.

This highlights the immense importance of Salah—it is the only command given directly to the Prophet ﷺ in the heavens, rather than through revelation on earth. It is our daily "Mi'raj" or connection to Allah.

Lessons for Us Today

The Sanctity of Al-Aqsa: The link between Makkah and Jerusalem is divine. Masjid Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam and holds a central place in our history.
The Power of Prayer: If you want to communicate with the One who controls the heavens and the earth, you don't need a Buraq—you just need your prayer mat. Salah is your direct line to Allah.
Hope in Distress: Just as the Prophet ﷺ was raised up after being brought low by worldly grief, our trials are often precursors to spiritual elevation.

Observing the Night

While there is no specific fixed worship prescribed for this night in the authentic Sunnah, many Muslims use the 27th of Rajab as a time to:

Reflect on the miracle of the Quran and the Prophet's life.
Re-commit to establishing the five daily prayers on time.
Teach children about the importance of Jerusalem and the Prophets.
Make dua for the Ummah, especially those in difficulty.

Conclusion

The Night Journey reminds us that this world is not the limit of our existence. We are connected to a Creator who is beyond time and space, and through our prayers, we can touch the divine every single day.

Keep track of important Islamic dates like the 27th of Rajab with our Interactive Islamic Lunar Calendar.