The Event and History of Mi'raj

Mi'raj is a miraculous and highly significant event that holds a special place in Islamic history. It was a night when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), by the command of Allah, ascended through the heavens to Sidratul Muntaha and came into direct proximity with Allah. According to Muslim belief, this event occurred physically and in reality.

Meaning and Phases of Mi'raj

The word Mi'raj is derived from the Arabic root ‘urooj, which means "to ascend" or "to rise." This event has two parts:

Isra (الإسراء):

In a portion of the night, the Prophet (PBUH) was taken from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.

Mi'raj (المعراج):

From there, he ascended through the seven heavens to Sidratul Muntaha and had a direct encounter with Allah.

Historical Context and Timeframe

The event of Mi'raj took place about one year before the Hijrah, i.e., in the 10th year of Prophethood. This year is known in Islamic history as the Year of Sorrow (Aam-ul-Huzn), because the Prophet (PBUH) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle Abu Talib. In this difficult time, Allah consoled the Prophet and honored him by taking him on the journey of Mi'raj.

The Seven Heavens and Meeting the Prophets

During the Mi'raj, the Prophet (PBUH) crossed the seven heavens and met different prophets on each level:

1st Heaven: Adam (A.S.)

2nd Heaven: Jesus (A.S.) and John (Yahya) (A.S.)

3rd Heaven: Joseph (Yusuf) (A.S.)

4th Heaven: Enoch (Idris) (A.S.)

5th Heaven: Aaron (Harun) (A.S.)

6th Heaven: Moses (Musa) (A.S.)

7th Heaven: Abraham (Ibrahim) (A.S.)

Then he reached Sidratul Muntaha, the furthest boundary of creation.

Meeting with Allah and the Command of Prayer

At the highest point, the Prophet (PBUH) had a direct meeting with Allah. It was there that the five daily prayers were made obligatory. Initially, 50 prayers were prescribed, but upon the advice of Prophet Moses (A.S.), the Prophet (PBUH) repeatedly requested a reduction, and finally, it was set at five daily prayers — which are equivalent in reward to fifty.

Significance of Mi'raj

It represents the highest honor and universal recognition of Prophethood.

A manifestation of Allah’s power.

The introduction of the obligatory prayer for Muslims.

A real experience of the afterlife, Paradise, Hell, and the existence of angels.

Mi'raj in the Qur'an

The Isra part of the Mi'raj is mentioned in Surah Al-Isra and the Mi'raj part in Surah An-Najm:

“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed.”

— (Surah Al-Isra: 1)

Conclusion

Mi'raj unveils a miraculous and spiritual dimension of Islam. It reveals the great honor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and establishes the importance of prayer in the life of a Muslim. Believing in this event and shaping one's life according to its teachings is a duty for every Muslim.