Some moments in history are not measured by time, but by impact.
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj was one such moment, a single night that carried lessons for an entire Ummah until the Day of Judgment.
This miraculous journey was not just a sign for the believers of Makkah; it was a divine message of hope, reassurance, and spiritual elevation, revealed at one of the hardest periods in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Why Al Isra’ wal Mi‘raj Night Came When It Did
Before understanding the journey itself, we must understand the pain that preceded it.
The year of Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj came after what is known as ʿĀm al-Ḥuzn (The Year of Sorrow):
- The Prophet ﷺ lost his beloved wife Khadijah (رضي الله عنها), his greatest emotional support.
- His uncle Abu Talib, his protector, passed away.
- He faced rejection, mockery, and physical harm in Ta’if.
- The da‘wah in Makkah was at its most difficult stage.
At a moment when the Prophet ﷺ felt most alone on earth, Allah honored him by elevating him above the heavens.
This alone teaches a powerful lesson:
When the doors of the earth close, the doors of the heavens open.
What Is isra miraj?
The event is divided into two miraculous stages, both mentioned explicitly in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah:
1. Al-Isra’ (The Night Journey)
2. Al-Mi‘raj (The Ascension to the Heavens)
Each stage carries unique lessons, spiritual, theological, and practical.
Al-Isra’: From Makkah to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa
A Journey Beyond Human Limits
On this night, Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and took him:
- From Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah
- To Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem
a distance that would normally take months, completed in one night.
This journey was not a dream it was real, physical, and spiritual.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
“Glory be to the One who Took His Servant (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) 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)
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj is one of the greatest signs and miracles that were given to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after the Qur’an. Al-Isra’ refers to the Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and Al-Mi’raj refers to the Ascension into the Heavens. Many people incorrectly believe that this journey was a hallucination, something that occurred in a dream, or something that was accomplished in the form of a soul and not physically. This is incorrect. This was a physical journey that happened on the same night. If the Isra’ and Mi’raj occurred only as a soul or in a dream, the Quraysh would not have rejected it or ridiculed him when he informed them about it. They would not have said that it took them a month by camel to reach Jerusalem and a month to come back, whereas Prophet Muhammad ﷺ claimed that he undertook this journey in a portion of the night.
The Role of Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa
Al-Aqsa was not chosen randomly.
It teaches us:
- Al-Aqsa is a core part of Islamic belief
- It connects the message of Muhammad ﷺ with all previous prophets
- The Ummah’s relationship with Al-Aqsa is spiritual, not political
At Al-Aqsa:
- The Prophet ﷺ led all previous prophets in prayer
- This symbolized his leadership and the finality of his message
- It affirmed that Islam is a continuation, not a contradiction, of earlier revelations
Al-Mi‘raj: Ascending Beyond the Heavens
After Al-Isra’, the Prophet ﷺ ascended from Jerusalem to the heavens. This is where human language struggles, yet faith deepens.
The Seven Heavens: Meetings With the Prophets
As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ascended through the heavens during Al-Mi‘raj, he did not journey alone in meaning. At every level of the sky, he encountered a prophet chosen by Allah, each meeting carrying wisdom, reassurance, and a powerful reminder that the path of truth has always been walked before.
These encounters were not casual greetings. They were divine moments of recognition, unity, and shared struggle, reinforcing that the message of Islam is the continuation of all previous revelations.
The First Heaven: Prophet Adam (عليه السلام)
At the entrance of the first heaven, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ met Adam (عليه السلام) the father of humanity.
Adam (عليه السلام) welcomed him warmly and said, “Welcome, righteous son and righteous prophet.”
Adam (عليه السلام) was shown the souls of his descendants:
- When he saw the righteous, he smiled with joy
- When he saw the sinful, he felt deep sorrow
Lesson:
Humanity has always been a test of choice. From the very first man, we learn that our actions matter, and every soul will one day return to Allah.
The Second Heaven: Prophet Isa and Prophet Yahya (عليهما السلام)
In the second heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Isa (Jesus) and Yahya (John).
Both welcomed him with respect and love, acknowledging his mission.
Lesson:
These prophets represent purity, sacrifice, and steadfastness in the face of rejection. Their presence reminds us that calling people to Allah often comes with hardship, but sincerity is always honored.
The Third Heaven: Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام)
In the third heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Yusuf (عليه السلام) — a prophet known for his exceptional beauty.
It is narrated that Yusuf was given half of all beauty, yet his true excellence was not in appearance, but in:
- Patience during betrayal
- Integrity during temptation
- Gratitude after hardship
Lesson:
True beauty lies in character. Trials refine the soul, and Allah elevates those who remain faithful during injustice.
The Fourth Heaven: Prophet Idris (عليه السلام)
IndIt was in the fourth heaven that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ met Idris (عليه السلام).
Allah describes Idris in the Qur’an as:
“And We raised him to a high station.” (19:57)
Lesson:
Elevation with Allah comes through sincerity, knowledge, and consistency in worship — not fame or recognition.
The Fifth Heaven: Prophet Harun (عليه السلام)
In the fifth heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Harun (Aaron) — the brother of Musa (Moses).
Harun was known for his kindness, leadership, and compassion toward his people.
Lesson:
True leadership is built on mercy. A soft heart can guide communities more effectively than harshness.
The Sixth Heaven: Prophet Musa (عليه السلام)
In the sixth heaven, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ met Musa (عليه السلام) a prophet who endured immense trials with his people.
Musa later played a crucial role in advising the Prophet ﷺ regarding the number of daily prayers.
Lesson:
Experience brings wisdom. Those who have struggled deeply often offer the most sincere counsel.
The Seventh Heaven: Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام)
At the highest heaven, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ met Ibrahim (Abraham) leaning against Al-Bayt Al-Ma‘mur, the heavenly house of worship visited daily by angels.
Ibrahim welcomed him and sent a message to the Ummah:
“Convey my salam to your nation and tell them that Paradise is beautiful and its soil is fertile.”
Lesson:
Faith is built through continuous remembrance of Allah. Paradise is earned through sincere belief and righteous deeds.
These encounters were not merely greetings but acknowledgments of mission and faith, each prophet recognizing Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger and unifying the message of Tawhid (monotheism).
At the highest point, known as Sidrat al-Muntaha, the Prophet ﷺ approached Allah in a moment of incomparable elevation, a station beyond all creation.
The Gift of the Five Daily Prayers
During Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj, Allah bestowed upon the Ummah one of the greatest gifts in Islam: Salah. Unlike every other obligation, prayer was not revealed on earth but was commanded above the seven heavens, highlighting its unmatched importance. Initially prescribed as fifty daily prayers, the number was reduced, through Allah’s mercy and the Prophet’s ﷺ compassion for his Ummah, to five daily prayers, while retaining the reward of fifty. This moment reflects a divine balance between responsibility and mercy, teaching that Allah values sincere effort and consistency over burden.
Salah is more than an obligation; it is the daily Mi‘raj of the believer. Five times a day, Muslims step away from worldly distractions to stand before their Creator, finding peace, clarity, and renewal. Each prayer strengthens the connection between the servant and Allah, offering guidance during hardship and gratitude during ease. In a world filled with noise and uncertainty, Salah remains a constant spiritual anchor a reminder that true elevation begins with humility and sincere worship.
Why This Night Matters for Us Today
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj is not just a historical event it’s a living source of guidance. Here’s why:
1. A Reminder of Allah’s Power and Mercy
The journey reminds believers that Allah’s reach is beyond imagination. What seems impossible for humans is possible with Allah.
2. Prayer as a Daily Anchor
Five moments of connection with Allah are not burdens, they are gifts that structure a believer’s day with mindfulness, gratitude, and purpose.
3. Hardship Is Not Meaningless
This miracle came after a period known as the Year of Sorrow, when the Prophet ﷺ faced personal loss and community rejection. It teaches us that Allah supports those who remain faithful in testing times.
4. A Legacy of Unity
The Prophet’s prayer with earlier prophets signifies that Islam is part of a divine continuum a tradition of submission to Allah’s will rooted in the same monotheistic truth.
When Is Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj Observed?
Although scholars differ slightly on the exact historical date, many Muslims around the world commemorate Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj on the 27th night of Rajab each year — a night for reflection, prayer, and renewed purpose.
Whether through increased worship, reading about its meaning, or educating future generations, this night invites every believer to pause, reflect, and reconnect with Allah.
Conclusion: A Journey That Speaks to the Human Heart
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj is more than a miracle it is a story of hope, resilience, spiritual elevation, and divine mercy. It invites us to see beyond what’s visible, to find strength in prayer, and to remember that faith endures even when hearts are weary.
For the Ummah today, this night remains a reminder that:
- Allah hears and answers prayers
- Faith grows through trials
- Prayer connects hearts to the Divine
Through every struggle, every dawn prayer, and every call to Allah, the lessons of Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj continue to live in our lives.
