Q Give an account of the events of the Prophet’s night journey and

ascension [‘Isra wa-mi’raj]. [10-J-11] [10-N-13-2058/11]

‘Glory to Him who took His servant for a journey by night from the Sacred
mosque to the Farthest mosque ------- [Sura Al Isra:1]

The event of Miraj took place in CE 621. It was the time when the Prophet’s wife
Khadija (ra) and uncle, Abu Talib had died, visit to Taif had failed and the
persecution of Makkans was on peak. One night the Prophet (sw) was awoken
by Jabrail (as), and from Makkah (Masjid al Haram), he was taken to Jerusalem
(Masjid Al Aqsa) on a white horse-like winged creature (Burraq) who could run
extremely fast. There he met the prophets who came before him. He also led the
prayer of these prophets. This is a clear indication that Mohammad (sw) is the
leader of all prophets and he is also the last prophet of Allah. This event is called
‘Isra’.

From Jerusalem, he was taken to heavens. In the heavens, he met Adam (as),
Idrees (as), Musa (as), Essa (as) and Ibrahim (as) on different levels of heavens.
They gave Mohammad (sw) respect and welcomed him as ‘brother’. Mohammad
(sw) also visited and saw paradise and hell.

He was also shown the treatment of good and bad deeds. It means that he saw
people going through rewards given by Allah or the punishments they suffered
due to their bad deeds. It may be guessed that these rewards and punishments
were not in the paradise or hell but they were going on in Barzakh, the place
where the spirits of good and bad people are kept. For example, he saw people
harvesting their ready green crop and they were very happy. When the
harvesting was complete, the crop was ready again, and they started the process
again. They were extremely happy. The Prophet (sw) asked Jibraeel (as) about
the event. He replied that they were the people who did some good which
continued after their deaths and they will be rewarded for ever for this good work.
In the same way, he saw punishments.

At one point, Jibraeel (as) stopped. Here Mohammad (sw) saw a strange huge
tree from which heavenly lights were coming out. Words are unable to describe
this scene. The point is called “Sidra tul Muntaha” which means ‘The Remotest
Lote Tree’. Jibraeel (as) refused to go beyond this point and Mohammad (sw)
alone went inside. It was the occasion when Allah made fifty prayers obligatory
upon Muslims but when the Prophet came back, he met Musa (as) who advised
the prophet (sw) to request Allah to reduce them and finally, five times prayers
became obligatory. According to many Hadith and a strong Hadith from Aisha
(ra), he did not see Allah.
From heavens, he was taken back to Jersalem. From there he came back to
Makkah where his bed was still warm. On his way back to Makkah, he saw two
caravans coming towards Makkah. Next morning he was commanded by Allah to
narrate this event to pagans of Makkah. When the Prophet (sw) did this, the
natural reaction came. They mocked the Prophet (sw) but it was Abu Bakr (ra)
who said that he believes in Mohammad (sw) completely. It was the occasion
when Abu Bakr (ra) was given the title ‘Al Siddiq’. When the pagans asked about
the proof of his visit, Mohammad (sw) described every detail about Jerusalem
and the surroundings of Aqsa mosque. Mohammad (sw) also told about two
caravans which were travelling towards Makkah and told about the time of their
arrival which proved correct in a short time. In spite of these signs, they did not
accept the truth of the Prophet Mohammad (sw).