About the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Miracle of the Isra Night | Shab-e-Miraj

Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is the last prophet of Allah Almighty. There are so many miracles which took place in the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) one of them which is most renowned is the miracle of the Isra night. It is the miracle where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) escalated to heaven at night and met Allah Almighty. The event of Isra and Miraj took place on the 27 night of the Holy month of Rajab when Allah Almighty sent Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to bring Him to Allah. Shab-e-Miraj is the physical journey of Prophet (SAW) means with body and soul of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), also mentioned in Holy Quran by Allah (SWT) in these words: “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) From above verse of Holy Quran we can conclude that First Prophet (PBUH) was taken to Masjid al-Aqsa which is located in Jerusalem and from there He (SAW) ascended to skies and the higher journey began. Isra is an Arabic word which refers to Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) miraculous night journey explicitly from Makah to Jerusalem, to the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as mentioned in Surah Al-Israa in Holy Quran. In this miraculous night of Isra, Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) started His journey with Angel Gabriel on an animal named Buraq. In another verse of Holy Quran details about Isra and Miraj stated in a way: “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) From above ayah, we came to know the peak of Miraj where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) met Allah Almighty in person. Every Muslim is aware of this particular happening during the night; yet, there are three other major events happened on the night of Isra and Miraj. Below a brief detail about three major events on the night of Miraj is mentioned. The first major event of the night of Isra was Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) meeting with many other Prophets while escalating towards higher skies. At the first heaven, Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) met with Hazrat Adam (AS). Hazrat Adam (AS) had bodies on his left and right. The right ones were believers who were laughing for whom there was a reward and the left one were disbelievers who were crying for whom there was punishment. At the second heaven, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) met with Hazrat Isa (AS) and Hazrat Yahya (AS). Both of them greeted Holy Prophet (SAW) and made supplications for Him. At third heaven, Muhammad (SAW) met with Hazrat Yusuf (AS) who was known for His beauty. He (AS) warmly welcomed our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and also supplicated for Him. At the fourth heaven, Prophet (PBUH) met with Hazrat Idris (AS) who greeted and made supplications for Him. At the fifth heaven, Muhammad (SAW) met with Hazrat Harun (AS) who was the brother of Hazrat Musa (AS), He (AS) warmly welcomed and supplicated for Him. At the sixth heaven, Prophet (SAW) met with Hazrat Musa (AS) who also greeted Him and Supplicated for Him. At the last seventh heaven Holy Prophet (SAW) met with Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) who was standing with his back rested on Bayt al-Mamur, which is the just like Kabah around which the angels do the Tawaf in the same way as Muslims do around the Qibla in the world. At this point, Prophet (SAW) also saw Sidra-tul-Muntaha the tree which marks the end of the heavens and from there on there is the residence of Allah Almighty. The second major event was when Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) met with His Lord Allah Almighty and spoke about the prayers. At that time Allah Almighty made five-time prayers obligatory for Muslims, the prayers were fifty in the beginning but Holy Prophet (SAW) requested to Allah Almighty and reduced them to five. In Hadith Holy Prophet (SAW) said regarding this: “O Muhammad! These prayers need to be performed five times a day. However, there are ten rewards for each prayer!” (Muslim) The third event was visiting the paradise and hell during Isra and Miraj. In hell, He (SAW) saw all kinds of people receiving different kinds of punishments. On the other hand in Paradise Prophet (SAW) saw all kinds of blessings and gifts that the dwellers of heaven enjoyed. In nutshell, the night of Isra and Miraj is considered the most respectable night because of miracle journey of Holy Prophet (SAW) that Allah Almighty provided only to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).