The event of Israa’ and Mi’raj is recorded in Al-Quran and Ahadith. It is the miraculous night journey of our Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAS), which consists of two phases. Phase one covers his trip from Makkah to Jerusalem, known as Al Israa’, and phase two covers his ascent from Jerusalem into the Heavens, known as Al Mi’raj. It is the opinion of some of the historians that the Prophet went on this remarkable journey on the 27th night of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic Calendar).
Some authors refer to the year in which this event is recorded as the “Year of Sorrow.” It was the year in which Muhammad (SAS) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his dear uncle, Abu Talib, who had nurtured him as a child and protected him when he was proclaimed a Prophet of Allah. During this same year, he went to the city of Ta’if to invite the people to Islam, but he was stoned and driven out of the City by the street urchins. The Prophet is reported to have said that the day in Ta’if was the most difficult day of his life.
Due to these three events, Muhammad (SAS) was very sad, but Allah (SWT) had a superb plan to relieve His Chosen Messenger from his distress, as is embodied in the following verse of Al-Quran, Surah 17:1, “Glorified and Exalted be He (Allah) who took His servant for a journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram) to the Far Away Mosque (Masjid Al-Aqsa), which surroundings We blessed, in order that We might show him some of Our signs. For He (Allah) is the One, Who hears and sees everything.” This ayah (verse) refers to Al-Israa, the journey from Makkah to Jerusalem.
In the Hadith of Sahih Al-Bukhari, Abu Dhar narrated the event of Al-Mi’raj or Ascension, as described by the Apostle of Allah. Abu Dhar narrated as follows:
The Prophet was at Makkah and the angel Jibrael (Gabriel) descended through the roof, opened his chest, washed it with zam-zam water, filled it with wisdom and faith and then closed it. He was then taken by Jibrael to the nearest heaven, where Jibrael was asked by the gatekeeper:
“Jibrael, is there anyone with you?” He answered that Muhammad (SAS) was with him. Again he asked “Has he been called?” And Jibrael answered in the affirmative. The gate was then opened and they entered the nearest heaven, where they saw a man sitting with a large number of people on his right, and also on his left. When he looked on his right, he laughed and when he looked at his left he wept. Then he said: “Welcome! O Pious Prophet and Pious Son.” The Prophet inquired from Jibrael whom the man was and Jibrael informed him that he was Adam and the people around d him was his offspring. Those on his right were the people of Paradise and on his left, the people of Hell.
They then traveled to the second heaven. Here Jibrael was asked the same questions as before and he gave the same response and so the gate was opened. Anas reported that Abu Dhar added that the prophet met Adam, Idris (Enoch), Musa (Moses), ‘Isa (Jesus) and Ibrahim (Abraham) but Abu Dhar did not mention on which heaven they were, except that the Prophet met Adam on the first and Ibrahim on the sixth. Each of these prophets welcomed Muhammad (SAS) and Jibrael identified each of them.
Ibn Abbas (R.A.) and Abu Habba Al-Ansari (R.A.) reported the Prophet (SAS) also said that Jibrael ascended with him to a place, where he heard the creaking of pens. Allah (SWT) prescribed fifty Salat on his followers. When he returned with this order from Allah (SWT), he passed by Musa, who inquired, “What has Allah enjoined on your followers?” He replied, “He has enjoined fifty Salat on them.” Musa advised him to go back and appeal for a reduction because his followers would not be able to bear it. So he went back to Allah (a few times) and appealed for a reduction until it was reduced to five per day, and Allah (SWT) said, “These are five Salat (prayers) and they are all equal to fifty in reward, for My Word does not change.” He returned to Musa, who advised him to seek a further reduction, but he said he felt shy to ask again.
After this, he was taken by Jibrael to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (lote tree of the utmost boundary) which was shrouded in colors that are indescribable. He was then admitted into Paradise, where he saw a wall made of pearls and its earth made of musk (perfume).
As we contemplate on the occurrences of this remarkable night, we can conclude that Allah (SWT) had a very good reason for Muhammad (SAS) to be transported from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the Seven Heavens.
Jerusalem was the Qiblah (direction) towards which Muhammad (SAS) turned in prayer and up to that time was the seat of learning for all previously revealed scriptures. Also, many of the earlier prophets mentioned in Al-Quran were associated with this city. Since Muhammad (SAS) was the last Prophet and received the final revelation, Al-Quran, and the Qiblah was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah, it shows clearly that the seat of the learning as well as the direction for prayer have been changed to Makkah for all times.
This unique incident also demonstrates to the believers, Allah’s Infinite Mercy. His benevolent gift of prayer gives the believers the privilege of acquiring countless blessings and also forgiveness for their indiscretions.