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History and Seerah

The Magnificent Journey: Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj

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Every year, on the night of the 27th of Rajab according to the Islamic calendar (August 10th of this year 2007), Muslims around the world celebrate the magnificent journey of the Prophet Muhammad salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam. They commemorate the miraculous trip the Prophet undertook to Jerusalem, the heart of the ancient world and the center of faith, and then his ascension to the seventh heaven to stand before the Divine and meet with his Lord Subhanahu wa Ta’aala.

Fourteen hundred years ago Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj or ‘The Night Journey’ brought to the world something that changed the course of history.

This article is neither about discussing the validity or invalidity of this celebration, nor it is about the argument over the actual date and year this journey took place. Furthermore, it is not designed to create a narrative discussion over the details of this journey, how and what had happened there, or what the Prophet had seen there entirely. Those kinds of discussions must be done separately, and there are many opinions mentioned in books of Seerah and history regarding them. Those who have an ardent desire to explore it further can look it up there insha’Allah.

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Our discussion here –from a believer’s perspective- is about the essence of this journey. The subtle messages embedded with every bit of the story. Why did it happen? Why the Prophet Muhammad? Where was he taken during that journey? Why there and not somewhere else?

Why did he meet with the prophets and led them in Salat? Why did Musa salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam interfere with the divine command of Salat for the benefit of the Ummah of Muhammad?

There has been a lot of controversy amongst Muslim scholars over the factual details of this journey, but they argued little, if ever, about the actuality and the certainty of its occurrence. The incident is a fact that has been mentioned in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Allah said:

“سبحان الذي أسرى بعبده ليلا من المسجد الحرام إلى المسجد الأقصى الذي باركنا حوله لنريه من آياتنا إنه هو السميع البصير”

“Glory to ((Allah)) who did take His servant for a journey by night from the sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts we did bless, – In order that we might show Him some of Our Signs: for He is the One who heareth and seeth (All things).” Al-Israa’ 17:1

The hadith of the Israa’ was narrated with multiple versions in many of the various collections of Hadith, Seerah, and history books. With so many details mentioned therein, despite the questionable authenticity of some, a person can draw a clear and a vivid picture of the whole journey.

Anas narrated a hadith found in Saheeh AlBukhari, in the book of ‘Beginning of Creation’ (Vl. 4, book 54, hadith 429) and in Saheeh Muslim in the book of ‘Iman’ (Book 1, ch. 75, hadith 309)

More details were even provided in other collections of hadith with different degrees of authenticity.

Imam Ibn katheer rahimahullah in his Tafseer (see Ibn Katheer) of the beginning of surah Al-Israa’17, compiled almost all the different narrations of the hadith from more than 15 different companions

He then concluded with a quote from Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Khattab `Umar bin Dihyah from his book At-Tanwir fi Mawlid As-Siraj Al-Munir:
“Even though some reports do not fulfill the conditions of Sahih, nevertheless the Muslims agreed unanimously on the fact that the Israa’ happened, and it was rejected only by the heretics and apostates.

“يريدون ليطفئوا نور الله بأفواههم والله متم نوره ولو كره الكافرون”

(They intend to put out the Light of Allah with their mouths. But Allah will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it).) Al-Saaf (61:8).”

Many questions arise in the mind of any person who comes across this hadith or the story of the night journey.

To answer these questions we will highlight select parts of the story regardless of their order of events. It is worth noting this discussion on the story of Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj is not intended to place any final judgment or form any particular opinion on any of its details. It is only an attempt to open the subject for further research and discussion.

Part One: From Makkah to Jerusalem: Why not the Heavens?

First we must distinguish between the two parts of this journey i.e. the two trips the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam made during that night: the Israa’ and the Mi’raaj.

Al-Israa’: The trip from Makkah to Jerusalem
Al-Mi’raaj: The trip from Jerusalem to Heavens

The English translation of the ‘Israa’ and Mi’raaj’ is commonly simplified with the term ‘The Night Journey’. But that does not make clear the two distinctive trips done during that night. Nevertheless, the term ‘the night journey’ still carries the literal meaning of the first trip the ‘Israa’. Perhaps it can also be said that the second part of the journey the ‘Mi’raaj’ is understood from the same term, since it was done during the same night according to the majority of scholars.

The source of this confusion can be traced back to the translation of the name of Surah Al-Is’raa, which in the dictionary means ‘the journey by night’. The word Israa’ identifies the first trip and is mentioned in the first Ayah. The second trip, however, was not mentioned there but in another surah.

Besides the details of the Mi’raaj which were mentioned in many ahadith, the Qur’an also mentions it in Surah al-Najm 53: 13-18, proving its occurrence.

Allah said:

“ولقد رآه نزلة أخرى * عند سدرة المنتهى * عندها جنة المأوى * إذ يغشى السدرة ما يغشى * ما زاغ البصر وما طغى * لقد رأى من آيات ربه الكبرى*”

13. For indeed He saw Him at a second descent,
14. Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:
15. Near it is the Garden of abode.
16. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in Mystery unspeakable!)
17. (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
18. For truly did He see, of the Signs of His Lord, the Greatest!

Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, “When the Messenger of Allah was taken on the journey of Israa’, he ascended to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, which is a tree in the sixth heaven, and where everything terminates. Everything which ascends from the earth is held there and then is taken afterwards, and everything that descends to the earth is held there and then is taken down” (Reported by Ahmad and Muslim).

There is some debate Sidrat Al-Muntaha was found in the seventh heaven (according to the hadith of Anas and most narrations) or in the sixth (according to the hadith of Ibn Mas’ud). The second trip, the ascension to the seventh heaven, did indeed happen even though Ibn Masoud used the term ‘Israa’ to speak about the Mi’raaj.
Since the two trips happened during the same night journey, the term ‘The night journey’ was assumed to be for both.

Trip one was the ‘Israa’ or ‘the journey by night’. This trip was clearly defined in the Qur’an in surah Al-Israa’ 17:1. It was the journey of the Prophet on the back of Al-Buraaq the animal which carried him that night from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (the sacred masjid) in Makkah to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (the farthest masjid) in Jerusalem.

Trip two was the ‘Mi’raaj’ i.e. the ‘ascension’ or ‘the stairway, ladder or elevator’. This trip was mentioned in surat Al-Najm 53, and the hadith cited earlier. The transportation used in this trip is not clear. Some narrations suggested that Al-Buraaq was used again in this trip, but a hadith from Abu Sa’eed Al-khudree mentions a different method, a ‘stairway’ or a ‘ladder’.

Al-Bayhaqi in Dalael Al-Nubuwwah narrates, the Messenger salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The Mi’raaj was brought to me. It is the ‘stairway’ which the souls of the children of Adam ascend on. No creation has ever seen anything of such beauty as of the Mi’raaj.”

This hadith was also narrated in other collections of hadith, however, all of them cited the same source, Abu Haroun AlAbdi on the authority of Abu Sa’eed. Abu Haroun is deemed to be weak and unreliable. Nevertheless, Ibn Katheer accepted the Mi’raaj as the way of ascension.

Ibn Katheer rahimahullah asserts this in his summary of the whole story. After the compilation of all the different narrations he said: “Then the Mi`raj was brought to him, which is a ‘stairway’ or a ladder with steps which one climbs up. So he went up on it to the first heaven, then he went up to the rest of the seven heavens.”

This hadith is very clear on the method. The word Mir’aaj is used here to name the stairway as well as to describe the ascension.

In light of the hadith of Abu Sa’eed according to Ibn Katheer, the linguistic meaning of the word itself in the Arabic dictionary, and considering the miraculous nature and beauty of this Mi’raaj, could this Mi’raaj be viewed as a heavenly escalator, shining with silver and gold? [1]

Is Jerusalem truly the earthly gate to heaven? Was that the reason why the Mi’raaj was stationed there? Why did the Prophet have to stop in Jerusalem on his way to the seventh heaven? Couldn’t he just travel from Makkah straight to heaven?

Perhaps an indication to the answer can be found in a different hadith. Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah and other scholars reported that Maymoonah bint Sa’ad or Sa’eed, a servant of the Prophet, asked: O Messenger of Allah! Give us an answer (judgment) on Bait Al-Maqdis –Jerusalem-? He said: “The land of Mahshar –congregation- and Manshar –resurrection. A land where you should go visit, and pray therein…”

Al-Sindi in his commentary on Ibn Majah said: “That means on the Day of Qiyaamah (Resurrection) people will be directed to move towards (Jerusalem) for their congregation as indicated by other ahadith.”
Imam Muslim narrated a hadith from Hudhayfah in which the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam counted ten signs of the Day of Judgment. One of the signs of Day of Judgment mentioned in the hadith was the fire which will erupt in Yemen and then move the people as they escape it until it gathers them all into their ‘Mahshar’ i.e. congregation station.

AlMubarakpuri in his commentary on Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, after narrating the above hadith, quoted Imam Al-Qaree saying: “Some say that the land of congregation will be Al-sham (Jerusalem and its surrounding) based on a report from an authentic hadith. But it seems that the congregation will start there or maybe the land will expand in order to fit all the creation of the world.”

From the above narrations it seems that Jerusalem i.e. Bait Al-Maqdis is the land of congregation ‘AlMahshar’. Whether this congregation is happening before the actual start of the Hour or after the resurrection begins the conclusion is the same. Eventually people will be taken to the earthly station of their congregation before their ascension to heaven. And that earthly station is Bait Al-Maqdis.

Jerusalem or Bait Al-Maqdis was and still is the seat of divine revelation and center of faith. Many Prophets and Messengers of Allah resided there. Others were commanded to make it the destination of their immigration. During the time period of Banu Israel (the children of Israel) prophets once ruled the land and when one died another succeeded him, all by divine assignment. The divine connection was constant and had suffered no interruption for so many generations. For that reason it was made Qudus, or a sacred and purifying land.

Abul Waleed AlBaji in Al-Muntaqaa, a commentary on AlMuwatta’ by Imam Malik, said about Bait Al-Maqdis: “The reason the people of Bait Al-Maqdis were privileged with such a title (holy or purifying land) was when they once acted upon the obedience of Allah. They had many prophets amongst them and the rest were companions of the prophets. This was probably because they had been commanded to reside and remain there in Jerusalem.

Similar to this is the order of Hijrah (immigration) to Madeenah which was given to the early Muslims. Residency in Madeenah has since become a source of purification to its residents, purifying them from their sins.”

Such reports attesting to the virtue of Madeenah can be found in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim and other collections of hadith.

It is not surprising at all why the Messenger of Allah had to stop in Jerusalem on his way to heavens. It is obvious that he needed to arrive at the gate to heavens and that was in Jerusalem.

The arrival of Prophet Muhammad salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam at Jerusalem had many implications on the concept of religious guidance and leadership. His physical arrival there when there was no mention of him or his message amongst the people of the Holy Land – except for few high priests- meant a lot to the universality of his message. His historical meeting with the prophets and messengers of Allah and especially the prophets of Banu Israel was another sign that the winds of change were about to blow. This was an announcement of a new establishment, the establishment of a new chapter in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It has now received a new addition to its tradition, a Muslim tradition. His arrival at Jerusalem was the beginning of the story, the story that changed the course of history.

Coming up:

Part Two: Ascending the throne of religious leadership

A thematic examination for the surah 17 would probably tell why.

Surah 17, Al-Israa’ is also called the chapter of ‘Banu Israel’ or ‘The Children of Israel’. It is not coincidence that the beginning of this surah which speaks about the incident of Israa’ was followed by the destiny of the chosen ones ‘The Children of Israel’.
Al-Israa’or that night journey happened to take place in Jerusalem, the home of the children of Israel.

Footnotes

[1] See the commentary of Abdullah Yusuf Ali at the very beginning of surah 17 Al-Israa’ and the influence of this Mi’raaj literature on the medieval literature of Europe, according to Professor Miguiel Asin in his book ‘Islam and the divine comedy’.

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Sh. Yaser Birjas is originally from Palestine. He received his Bachelors degree from Islamic University of Madinah in 1996 in Fiqh & Usool, graduating as the class valedictorian. After graduating, he went on to work as a youth counselor and relief program aide in war-torn Bosnia. Thereafter, he immigrated to the U.S. and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He is also an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, where he teaches popular seminars such as Fiqh of Love, The Code Evolved, and Heavenly Hues. He is currently serving as an Imam at Valley Ranch Islamic Center, Irving, Texas. Sh. Yaser continues to enhance his knowledge in various arenas and most recently obtained a Masters of Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix, Class of 2013. In addition to his responsibilities as an Imam, Sh. Yaser is a father of four children, he’s an instructor at AlMaghrib Institute, and a national speaker appearing at many conventions and conferences around the country. He is very popular for his classes and workshops covering a wide range of topics related to the youth, marriage, parenting and family life among other social matters related to the Muslim community. His counseling services, in office and online, include providing pre-marital training, marriage coaching and conflict resolution for Muslims living in the West.

21 Comments

21 Comments

  1. zfnd

    August 8, 2007 at 1:43 PM

    I’ve been looking for this perspective on journey of Al-Israa’ wal Mi’raaj for sometime, Great First Post!

    Jazakumallahukhair Shaykh Yaser! We can’t express how excited we are that you joined MM!

    -your students @ youthmatters

  2. Amad

    August 8, 2007 at 1:46 PM

    Mashallah, that’s the first time I have read this angle of the the miraculous journey!

    jazakAllahkhair…

  3. Hassan

    August 8, 2007 at 1:50 PM

    Wow mash’Allah. Its just awesome. I know you do not want to go into tangents, but I can not resist asking a question, did prophet Muhammad PBUH led souls of other prophets in prayer, or were they resurrected to be in the prayer or were they in some special condition other than these two?

  4. Dispatches Undercover Mosque - FAKE!!!

    August 8, 2007 at 2:34 PM

    UK police are investigating and reporting Channel 4 to the proper authorities over the way how the “Undercover Mosque” program was edited and purposely distorted.

  5. Kamran

    August 8, 2007 at 2:35 PM

    as salamu`alaykum Sh Yaser!

    mashaAllah…it’s a beautiful article :) We miss you here ya sheikh!

  6. AnonyMouse

    August 8, 2007 at 3:12 PM

    Masha’Allah, an amazingly insightful post! I never knew that Jerusalem was really the “earthly gate to Paradise”… I’d just assumed that the reason for the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) went there was simply due to historical significance, and so that he could lead the other Prophets (‘alaihumus-salaam) in salaah to “prove” (although that doesn’t seem like the right word to use) the importance and magnificence of his position as Khaatim al-Anbiyaa.

  7. Niamah

    August 9, 2007 at 9:53 PM

    can we fast on this day? was wondering if its sunnah cuz iv heard alot of people saying that!

  8. Pingback: Laylatul Mir’aj « Writeous Sister Speaks

  9. Imran

    August 11, 2007 at 10:49 PM

    MashaAllah great article, Shaykh Yaser. Looking forward to your next article.

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  11. Pingback: Laylatul Mir’aj 1429 « Aaminah Hernández

  12. Pingback: Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj - LI Islamic Forum

  13. Faisal

    August 1, 2008 at 9:14 AM

    MashAllah a great article, indeed. Can’t wait for the next part.

    I have a question related to the following:

    His physical arrival there when there was no mention of him or his message amongst the people of the Holy Land – except for few high priests– meant a lot to the universality of his message.

    When you say “except for few high priests”, is it implying that a few high priests knew about the arrival of the Prophet (Pbuh) in Jerusalem or they knew of the coming of the Prophet (Pbuh) in Makkah/Medinah.

    JazakAllah Khair

  14. Imtiaz

    August 1, 2008 at 9:46 AM

    Salaam Alaikum –

    my question is the same as brother Faisal above –

    I have read narrations, with little support that say – some people saw the gate of Masjid AlAqsa open when the night custodian locked it, there were marks on the ground to show an animal was stabled outside the masjid that none has ever seen before, there were other things….

    are those narrations related to that of “except a few high priests” ?

  15. Selena Gomez

    March 26, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    Wow I love This wonderful story!!!!

    MASHAA”AA ALLAH
    JAZAKUM ALLAHU KHARYUN.
    I WANT TO BE MUSLIM NOW!
    THANK YOU SHEICK YASER.
    I MIGHT EVEN WRITE MY OWN SONG
    ABOUT ISRAA AND MIRAGE
    AND SEND IT HERE!!!!!!!!

    • Amad

      March 26, 2009 at 7:04 PM

      Selena, I am glad to see your enthusiasm. Are you a Muslim already or interested in converting? If you have questions or need any help regarding Islam, you can always contact info at muslimmatters dot org and one of the sisters who writes for MM can help you out…

      My only suggestion is that if you are thinking of becoming a Muslim, don’t wait too long because only Allah knows when our time here ends, so we should rush towards goodness.

  16. Dr. Abd Lateef Abd Fatah

    December 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    jazakum llah khaeran. shukrah. ma salam

  17. k.ibrahim

    January 13, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Bismillah,ir-Rahman,ir-Rahim.
    Ashahadu An Laa illaaha illal llahu
    Wa Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadan Abdu Hu Wa Rasooluhu

    ”I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah
    who is without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is the Rasool.”
    “O Allah, Shower Your Peace come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have brought peace to Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, Shower your blessing upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious”.
    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, As-Salaam Alaikum!
    My Name is Khalid U.Ibrahim. I am in need of your (Du’a) Prayers for ALLAH’s Help and Protection. (Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I Beg of you to Bestow on us (the Believing Muslims) a Home, a Home of Safety, Security and Peace in this World Life, Out of the Reach of the Dajjal and his army, and also Grant us a Home of Safety,Security and Peace in the Life Hereafter,Out of the Reach of the Fires of Hell!.(Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I Beg of you to Increase our Faith and Devotion, and to Bless us with Peace in our Hearts and Souls.(Ya ALLAH!) Please Forgive All The Believing Muslims,(Ya ALLAH!) Please grant All the Believing Muslims the Best in this world Life and the Best in Hereafter, and(Ya ALLAH!) Please Protect us(the Believing Muslims) from own Nafs, and(Ya ALLAH!) Please Protect All the Believing Muslims from the hands of the Dajjal and his army.] {No One in this World care!} (Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I Beg of you for the means to do good, and to avoid evil, and Bless us to Love the poor, and I beseech you forgive us(the Believing Muslims) and have mercy on us. And When you subject the people of theWorld to trial, Protect us from being affected by it.(Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I Beg of you, your Love and Protection,and the Love of those who Love you, and Grant us the Love of all such actions that will bring us closer to you, with our Love and Devotion to you.(Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I thank you for all your Mercy and Protection that you have bestowed on us, and all that you have given us in these trouble times that we are facing,(Al-Hamdolillah!).

  18. Naim

    July 3, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Thanks Sheikh for the details of piecing together with authentic sources, what happened to our beloved Prophet(pbuh) in the night of Al-Miraj.

    On a separate note: I’ve read through the details in another site, and I think that site is made by Shia muslims, and their narration might have been changed a bit, but I am not exactly sure. They have a lot of details, but they are not citing where they are getting most of their information from, so it is really hard to believe what is going on. For example, I know that Sheikh Yasir Qadhi mentioned in his lecture that our beloved Prophet(pbuh) didn’t actually “see” Allah, but rather directly heard, without any intermediaries, His voice. Our Prophet(pbuh) didn’t see Allah’s Divine Beauty, but heard His speech. However, this Shia website claims that Allah made our Prophet(pbuh) see a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, so our Prophet(pbuh) saw a little bit of Allah’s Divine Beauty. Also the Shia source mentions that the butterflies in the Sidrat-ul-Muntaha are actually Angels, but most Sunni sites say that those are just butterflies made of gold, and they are not Angels.
    Surely, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

    Here is the link, http://www.muhammadanreality.com/7thheavenmuhammadanreality.htm#The Four Streams of Paradise, if anyone know any info about their narration regarding Al Miraj or any of the other articles, please post something about it.

    -Jajakallah Khair

  19. Erica

    April 27, 2022 at 11:57 PM

    Hi so my boyfriend has asked me to try and find The magnificent journey book. He had said that the book does not have very many pages. So I am wondering if this is the right book or if anyone knows where I could find the book he is referring to?

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