On the night of 27th Rajab, year 621, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took a journey across the heavens that would come to be known as Isra and Miraj ('The Night Journey'). This was a physical journey (not a metaphorical), with important spiritual elements. Travelling on the back of white beast, horse-like, called Burak (which can mean 'lightning' or 'bright'), the Prophet (pbuh) visited first "the further mosque". "Exalted is He 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. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing."
Quran, 17:1
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself described this extraordinary experience in the following words: "Then Jibreel (Gabriel) brought a horse (Burak) to me, which resembled lightning in swiftness and lustre, was of clear white colour, medium in size, smaller than a mule and taller than a (donkey), quick in movement that it put its feet on the farthest limit of the sight. He made me ride it and carried me to Jerusalem. He tethered the Burak to the ring of that Temple to which all the Prophets in Jerusalem used to tether their beasts."
At the grounds of Al-Aqsa, Prophet Muhammad led all the other prophets in prayer. After which he ascended to the highest Heavens, this event is known as the Miraj, the second part of the night. This journey and ascent of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) is one of the most celebrated events in the Islamic calendar. It was on this night that the Prophet (pbuh) met Allah swt. On the way to the heavens, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) met many of the other Prophets. The names and details of some of these meetings are not universally agreed but are mostly accepted as accurate. On the first heaven, the Prophet (pbuh) met with Prophet Adam (as). To his left and right stood two different sets of people. To the right were righteous believers who laughed, for them awaited a reward. To his left were disbelievers for whom awaited punishment.
Arriving at the fourth heaven, the Prophet (pbuh) was greeted by Prophet Idris (known as 'Enoch' in the biblical tradition). On the fifth level, the Prophet (pbuh) met Prophet Harun (Aaron) (as), the brother of Prophet Musa (as) who also greeted and made a supplication for the Prophet (pbuh). At the sixth
heaven, the Prophet (pbuh) met Prophet Musa (Moses) (as), who also greeted the Prophet (pbuh).
The second event was the meeting of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) with Allah (swt). It was at this point in the early journey of Islam, that Allah (swt) tells the Prophet (pbuh) about the obligatory prayers on all Muslims, which would be numbered at 50. On the way down to earth, the Prophet (pbuh) meets Prophet Musa (as), who asks him to return to Allah (swt) and ask for a reduced number, worrying that 50 would be too difficult for common Muslims to comply to. the Prophet (pbuh) returns to Allah (swt) to ask this favour, and this back and forth between Allah (swt) and Prophet Musa (as) happened nine times, until the prayers were reduced to five. Prophet Musa (as) asks the Prophet (pbuh) to ask for even less, but the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) says he feels ashamed to ask again and is thankful for five. However, Allah (swt) grants the reward of these five daily prayers today to be multiplied by 10, granting the reward to be equivalent of the original requirement of fifty daily prayers.
"While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he approached and came closer, And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? For indeed he saw him at a second descent. Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) (His) sight never swerved nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see the Signs of His Lord the Greatest.” (Quran, 53:7-18)
On the seventh and final heaven, the Prophet (pbuh) met with Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (as). The father of the Prophets Ismail and Isaac (as). Prophet Ibrahim (as), it was said, was standing with his back rested on Bayt-al Mamur, which is a Kaaba-like structure around which the angels do Tawaf (the way Muslims circumambulate the Kaaba on earth). It was at this point, the Prophet (pbuh) also saw Sidra-tul-Muntaha (the tree which marks the end of the heavens and near which Allah the might resides).
The third and final event on this blessed night was the Prophet (pbuh) visiting both Heaven and Hell. In Hell, he saw the punishments that awaited the disbelievers, and in Heaven, he saw the bounties and endless rewards waiting for the righteous.
Some narratives by scholars also record events that preceded the heavenly ascent. Some scholars believe that the opening of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) chest was a cleansing ritual that purified him before he ascended into heaven. Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) chest was opened up by angels and the water of Zamzam was poured on his heart giving him wisdom, belief, and other necessary characteristics to help him in his ascent. This purification is also seen in the trial of the drinks. It is debated when it took place, before or after the ascent, but either way it plays an important role in determining the Prophet's spiritual righteousness.
27th Rajab marks the two parts of the miraculous night journey we know as Isra and Miraj. While other prophets had seen or been given visions of paradise, or been spoken to by God on earth, no prophet was raised to the mighty Throne of Allah ﷻ, and it was here that our beloved Prophet ﷺ was spoken to directly by his Creator. ~Sacredfootsteps
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