Al-Isra wal-Mi‘raj
From Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, then through the heavens.
Al-Isra wal-Mi‘raj is the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem, then his ascension through the heavens. It is a matter of faith — Muslims believe it as Allah and His Messenger described it. The five daily prayers were ordained on this night.
Al-Isra — the night journey
Allah transported His Messenger ﷺ by night from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, where he led the prophets in prayer — showing the finality and leadership of his message.
Qur'anExalted 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.Qur’an 17:1
Al-Mi‘raj — the ascension
He ﷺ ascended through the heavens, met previous prophets, and was brought near to Allah in a manner that befits His majesty — without resembling creation. The details are known through authentic hadith.
HadithHe was taken up until he heard the scratching of the pens (recording decrees). Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on his nation. After Musa (AS) advised him to ask for reduction, it was reduced to five prayers — with the reward of fifty.Sahih al-Bukhari 349; Sahih Muslim 162
HadithThe Prophet ﷺ met Adam, Yahya, ‘Isa, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa, and Ibrahim (peace be upon them) in the heavens during the Mi‘raj.Sahih al-Bukhari 349
Lessons for Muslims
The Mi‘raj shows the honor of the Prophet ﷺ, the reality of the unseen, and the centrality of salah. Muslims commemorate it by guarding the five prayers and learning its story with reverence — not with invented celebrations that contradict the Sunnah.
- Prayer was made obligatory — the believer’s daily link to Allah.
- Jerusalem (al-Aqsa) remains sacred in Islam.
- Belief in the unseen is part of iman.