By Yusuf Badat
The journey of Al-Israʾ and Al-Meʾraj is perhaps the most amazing miraculous journey in human history. This was a journey wherein God, the Almighty, made His beloved prophet, Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) travel in bodily [physical] form while awake, from Makkah, Saudi Arabia to Masjid Al-Aqṣaʾ in Palestine and thereafter ascend up to and beyond the seven heavens. Thereafter, he returned to Al-Aqṣaʾ and finally back to Makkah. Every aspect of this journey took place, in a fraction of the night. Subhan Allah(Glory be to God)!
“Glory be to God who took His servant by night from the sacred place of worship [at Makkah] to the remote house of worship [at Jerusalem], the precincts of which We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Surely, it is He who is All Hearing, and All Seeing.” – (Qurʾan 17:1)
A summary of some facts and events that took place in this miraculous journey are listed here-below:
Year of Travel
This journey took place approximately two years prior to the Prophet’s migration to Yathrib (Madinah).
Sacred Cleansing Prior to the Journey
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was resting in the home of Umm Hani. Angel Jibril with a group of other angels enter the home, take Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to the Kaʾabah, the grand mosque in Makkah. After a brief pause at the Ḥatim, angles Jibril and Mikaʿil escort Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to the well of Zam Zam. They lay him down, and conduct a spiritual washing of his heart with Zam Zam water.
Conveyance
Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) is introduced to his transportation and asked to ride the Buraq. This is an animal somewhat like a donkey or mule in size, white in colour, that travels at the speed of lightning. He ascends the conveyance and begins his journey towards Al-Aqṣaʾ, Palestine.
Stops During the Journey to Al-Aqsaʾ
On route, Jibril asks Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) to make brief stops at Yathrib, Madyan, Mount Sinai and Bethlehem.
Some Spectacles
Prior to reaching Al-Aqṣaʾ, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is shown some of the divine punishments awaiting those who backbite, consume usury, abandon mandatory prayers, do not discharge zakah, commit adultery, practice theft, betray trusts and preach without practice. He was also shown the splendid rewards for those who do good and spend generously in Godʾs path to please Him.
At Al-Aqsaʾ, Palestine
Upon reaching Al-Aqsaʾ in Palestine, the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) ties his conveyance. He then enters the prayer space of Al-Aqsaʾ and performs two units of prayer. Thereafter, he sees a large crowd of people who welcome him. The adhan and iqamah calls to prayer are made. As everyone lines up, angel Jibril takes the hand of Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) and brings him forward to lead the congregational prayer. After the prayer, the angel informs him that he has just led all the prophets and also some angels in the ritual prayer. Following this, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) engages in dialogue with the prophets then exits the Al-Aqsaʾ compound. At this point, some vessels with milk, water, honey and wine are brought to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is applauded for making the choice to drink the milk.
Ascension
It is now the time for the Prophet of God, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) to ascend to the heavens and beyond. With a special ladder and on the buraq, in the company of angels, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) ascends. Crossing the seven skies, he is welcomed and greeted by various prophets in the heavens, as follows;
- On the first sky, Prophet Adam
- On the second, Prophets ʿIsa and Yahya
- On the third, Prophet Yusuf
- On the fourth, Prophet Idris
- On the fifth, Prophet Harun
- On the sixth, Prophet Musa
- On the seventh, Prophet Ibrahim
- Some reports indicate, an encounter with Prophets Dawud and Sulayman (peace and blessings upon all of them)
From there, he is shown the Bayt Al-Ma’mur, which is the ka’abah for the angels.
Further Elevation
After crossing the seven skies, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) witnesses the Sidrat Al-Muntahaʿ, which is the divine lote-tree station that separates the earthly creations and the heavenly creations.
Paradise and Hell
Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is now shown the place of Sarif Al-Aqlam where the heavenly Pen and Tablet that contain God’s decrees, for all his creation, exists. He is thereafter given an impressive tour of both Hell and Paradise.
In the Presence of the Almighty
Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is now honoured with another special conveyance known as the Rafraf. Upon it, he traverses countless curtains of divine light for the grand meeting with the Creator. Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) falls into prostration and directly communicates with the Almighty, devoid of any intermediary being. The Prophet of Islam later described the honourable sight as a grand divine light. During the special meeting with God, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is blessed with accepted supplications, honoured with gifts and divine bounties, including the exceptional gift of Salah (ritual prayer). He is also honoured with the title, “Habib Allah” meaning “God’s Beloved”.
The Descent
Following the grand meeting with God, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) encounters Prophet Musa (peace and blessings upon him). Upon his input, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) is blessed by God with reduction of the original 50 prayers to 5 daily prayers. God promises Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) that his followers who are punctual with the daily five will attain the rewards of 50. Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) thereafter returns to Makkah via Jerusalem riding the buraq at the speed of lightning.
Return to Makkah – Back Home
Upon return home to Makkah, in the morning, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) announces some of the details of his miraculous journey. He is faced with denial, rejection and mockery. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is interrogated and found to be accurate in every aspect of the interrogation. Disbelievers ascribe the situation to sorcery. Believers accept the the occurrence as a manifestation of God’s boundless power and might.
(References: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawud, Fath Al-Bari, Zurqaniy, Al-Khasais Al-Kubra, Bayhaqi, Musnad Ahmad, Musnad Al-Bazzar, Sirat Al-Mustafa Li-Al-Khandalwi, A-Bidayah Wa-Al-Nihayah, Al-Shifa)
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