The Isra and Mi’raj Story is one of the greatest miracles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. During this miraculous night journey, Allah took His Messenger from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and then through the heavens. The Isra and Mi’raj Story teaches Muslims about faith, prayer, patience, and Allah’s limitless power.
Isra and Mi’raj is one of the greatest miracles of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Isra (Night Journey): The miraculous night journey from Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) to Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).
- Mi’raj (Ascension): The journey from Masjid al-Aqsa through the heavens, where Allah showed the Prophet ﷺ many of His greatest signs.
The event is mentioned in the Qur’an:
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
The Prophet ﷺ described the journey of Isra and Miraj as
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the Abdomen then my Abdomen was washed with Zamzam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al- Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, ‘Open the gate.’ The gatekeeper asked, ‘Who is it?’ He said, ‘Gabriel.’ The gate-keeper,’ Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel said, ‘Muhammad.’ The gate-keeper said, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel said, ‘Yes.’ Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!’ Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, ‘You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel said, ‘Gabriel.’ It was said, ‘Who is with you?’ He said, ‘Muhammad’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent for?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ It was said, ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!” Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, ‘You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel said, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is with you? Gabriel said, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent for?’ ‘Yes,’ said Gabriel. ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!’ (The Prophet (ﷺ) added:). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, ‘You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!’ Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet”. Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.’ When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, ‘O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.’ Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Abraham who said, ‘You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.’ Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur (i.e. Allah’s House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma’mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).’ Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Gabriel about those rivers and he said, ‘The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.’ Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, ‘What have you done?’ I said, ‘Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.’ He said, ‘I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.’ I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, ‘What have you done?’ I said, ‘Allah has made it five only.’ He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah’s Final Order)'” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was addressed by Allah, “I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds.”
Table of Contents
Journey of Isra and Mi’raj
1: The Year of Sorrow (Before the Journey)
Before Isra and Mi’raj, the Prophet ﷺ experienced immense hardship:
- The death of his beloved wife, Khadijah (RA)
- The death of his uncle, Abu Talib
- Severe persecution by the Quraysh
- The painful rejection and abuse at Ta’if
After these trials, Allah honored and comforted His Messenger ﷺ with this miraculous journey.
2: The Opening of the Prophet’s Chest
Angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet ﷺ.
According to authentic Hadith:
- His blessed chest was opened.
- His heart was removed.
- It was washed with Zamzam water.
- It was filled with faith, wisdom, and spiritual purity.
- Then it was returned to its place.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 349
3: The Arrival of Buraq
Jibril (AS) brought Al-Buraq, a miraculous riding animal.
The Prophet ﷺ described it as:
- White in color
- Larger than a donkey
- Smaller than a mule
- Faster than lightening
- It placed each step as far as the eye could see
Reference: Sahih Muslim 162a
4: The Night Journey (Isra)
The Prophet ﷺ mounted Buraq.
He traveled miraculously from:
Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) → Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem)
The journey took place during a single night by Allah’s command.
5: Prayer at Masjid al-Aqsa
At Masjid al-Aqsa:
- Allah gathered many previous prophets.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led them all in prayer.
This symbolized his position as the final Prophet and leader of all the prophets.
Prophet ﷺ says
I found myself in Hijr and the Quraish were asking me about my might journey. I was asked about things pertaining to Bait-ul-Maqdis which I could not preserve (in my mind). I was very much vexed, so vexed as I had never been before. Then Allah raised it (Bait-ul-Maqdis) before my eyes. I looked towards it, and I gave them the information about whatever they questioned me I also saw myself among the group of apostles. I saw Moses saying prayer and found him to be a well-built man as if he was a man of the tribe of Shanu’a. I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) offering prayer, of all of men he had the closest resemblance with ‘Urwa b. Masu’d al-Thaqafi. I saw Ibrahim (peace be upon him) offering prayer; he had the closest resemblance with your companion (the Prophet himself) amongst people. When the time of prayer came I led them. When I completed the prayer, someone said: Here is Malik, the keeper of the Hell; pay him salutations. I turned to him, but he preceded me in salutation.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 172
6: The Ascension (Mi’raj)
- After the prayer, Jibril (AS) took the Prophet ﷺ upward through the heavens.
- At every heaven, the gate was opened.
- The conversation between Gibriel and the gatekeeper (angel) was as
- Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, ‘Open the gate.’
- The gatekeeper asked, ‘Who is it?’
- He said, ‘Gabriel.’
- The gate-keeper,’ Who is accompanying you?’
- Gabriel said, ‘Muhammad.’
- The gate-keeper said, ‘Has he been called?’
- Gabriel said, ‘Yes.’
- Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!’
Permission was then granted to enter.
7: The First Heaven
The Prophet ﷺ met Prophet Adam (AS)
Adam (AS) welcomed him, saying:
“You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.'”
8: The Second Heaven
He met:
- Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) (AS)
- Prophet Isa (Jesus) (AS)
Both greeted him warmly and prayed for him.
9: The Third Heaven
He met Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (AS)
The Prophet ﷺ said that Yusuf (AS) had been given half of all human beauty.
10: The Fourth Heaven
He met Prophet Idris (AS)
Allah mentions Idris (AS) in the Qur’an:
“And We elevated him to an honourable status.”
11: The Fifth Heaven
He met Prophet Harun (Aaron) (AS)
Harun (AS) welcomed him with peace and prayers.
12: The Sixth Heaven
He met Prophet Musa (Moses) (AS)
After the Prophet ﷺ continued upward, Musa (AS) wept.
When asked why, he said that a prophet who came after him would have more followers entering Paradise than his own community.
Later, Musa (AS) advised the Prophet ﷺ to ask Allah for a reduction in the number of daily prayers.
13: The Seventh Heaven
He met Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS)
He was leaning against Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur, the heavenly house of worship.
14: Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur
The Prophet ﷺ saw Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur (“The Frequently Visited House”).
- It is the heavenly counterpart of the Ka’bah.
- Every day, 70,000 angels enter it to worship Allah.
- After leaving, they never return, and another 70,000 enter.
15: Sidrat al-Muntaha
After passing through the Seven Heavens, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reached Sidrat al-Muntaha, one of the greatest signs shown to him by Allah.
Allah says:
“And he certainly saw that ˹angel descend˺ a second time at the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit ˹in the seventh heaven˺— near which is the Garden of ˹Eternal˺ Residence— while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with ˹heavenly˺ splendours! “The ˹Prophet’s˺ sight never wandered, nor did it overreach. He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs.”
(Qur’an 53:13–18)
The Prophet ﷺ described the tree as having:
- Nabk Fruits as large as the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia).
- Leaves as large as elephant ears.
- A beauty that no human language can fully describe.
When it was covered by Allah’s command, its appearance became indescribably magnificent.
16: The Four Rivers
- Near Sidrat al-Muntaha, the Prophet ﷺ saw four rivers originated at its root.
- Two were hidden, and two were visible.
When he asked Jibril (AS) about them, he replied:
- The hidden rivers are rivers in Paradise.
- The visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.
The scholars explain that this indicates their blessed origin by Allah’s command and does not necessarily mean their physical riverbeds descend directly from Paradise.
17: Jibril (AS) Reaches His Limit
- As they reached Sidrat al-Muntaha, Jibril (AS) stopped.
- According to authentic narrations, this was the limit Allah had appointed for him.
- Beyond this point, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ continued by Allah’s permission.
This demonstrates the unique honor Allah granted His Messenger ﷺ.
18: Allah Honors His Messenger ﷺ
At this point, Allah honored Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in a manner befitting His Majesty.
Allah says:
“Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed ˹through Gabriel˺.”
The exact nature of this meeting belongs to the unseen (Ghayb). Muslims believe what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have informed us, while avoiding speculation about matters that have not been explained in authentic texts.
19: The Gift of Fifty Daily Prayers
During this blessed meeting, Allah made fifty daily prayers obligatory upon the Muslim Ummah.
- This was the greatest gift given during the Night of Mi’raj.
- The command for Salah was given during this extraordinary heavenly journey.
20: Prophet Musa (AS) Advises a Reduction
As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ descended, he met Prophet Musa (AS).
Musa (AS) asked:
“‘What have you done?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.’
Musa (AS) said:
‘I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.’
Knowing the difficulty people would face, Musa (AS) sincerely advised the Prophet ﷺ to seek ease for his Ummah.
21: The Reduction from Fifty to Five
- The Prophet ﷺ repeatedly returned to Allah after Musa’s advice.
- Each time, Allah reduced the number of obligatory prayers.
- Finally, the obligation became Five daily prayers.
Then Allah declared:
“I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds.”
Thus, Muslims perform only five obligatory prayers each day while receiving the reward of fifty. This reflects Allah’s immense mercy and generosity.
22: Paradise is Shown
During Mi’raj, Allah showed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ some of the blessings prepared for the righteous. He saw paradise.
Among what he saw were:
- Beautiful rivers.
- Magnificent palaces.
- Lush gardens.
- Pearls and precious treasures.
- Blessings beyond human imagination.
- The Prophet ﷺ saw a magnificent palace for Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) in Paradise.
During the journey, the Prophet ﷺ smelled a wonderful fragrance.
Jibril (AS) explained that it came from the believing woman who served as the hairdresser of Pharaoh’s daughter and remained steadfast in her faith. Reported in Musnad Ahmad with supporting narrations.
Allah says:
“No soul can imagine what delights are kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do.”
23: Hellfire is Shown
The Prophet ﷺ was also shown Hellfire and examples of punishments for certain sins.
Among those mentioned in authentic narrations were people who had committed major sins such as:
1. People Who Consumed Riba (Interest)
The Prophet ﷺ saw people:
- With enormous bellies.
- Unable to move easily because of their condition.
2. Those Who Ate the Wealth of Orphans
The Prophet ﷺ saw people:
- Eating fire.
- Fire coming out from their mouths.
These represented those who wrongfully consumed the wealth of orphans.
3. Those Who Spread Slander and Backbiting
The Prophet ﷺ saw people scratching their faces and chests with copper nails.
4. Those Who Committed Adultery
The Prophet ﷺ saw people leaving good, lawful meat and choosing rotten meat instead.
5. Those Who Told Lies
The Prophet ﷺ saw a man whose mouth was torn from one side to the other, and it was repeatedly restored and torn again.
6. Those Who Neglected the Qur’an
The Prophet ﷺ saw a man’s head being crushed with a rock repeatedly.
7. Those Who Committed Zina
The Prophet ﷺ saw naked men and women inside an oven-like structure with flames rising beneath them.
8. Many women in Hell
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that he saw many women among the people of Hell. They were not thankful for their husbands or the good treatment they got. One of them would say, “I have never seen anything good from you,” if you were nice to them all their lives and then she saw something she didn’t like.
These scenes served as warnings for the Ummah to avoid sin and remain steadfast in obedience to Allah.
24: The Return to Makkah
- After witnessing Allah’s great signs, the Prophet ﷺ returned from the heavens to Masjid al-Aqsa.
- He then rode Al-Buraq back to Makkah.
- The entire miraculous journey took place during a single night, by Allah’s power.
25: The Quraysh Reject the Miracle
- The following morning, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed the people of Makkah about the miraculous journey.
- Many among the Quraysh mocked him and considered the account impossible.
- Some people whose faith was weak even abandoned Islam.
- The disbelievers demanded proof that the Prophet ﷺ had truly visited Jerusalem.
26: Allah Gives the Prophet ﷺ Proof
To answer the Quraysh, Allah enabled Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to clearly see Masjid al-Aqsa before him.
The Prophet ﷺ accurately described:
- Its doors.
- Its windows.
- Its structure.
- Its surroundings.
He also informed them about caravans he had seen during the journey and described their arrival times and conditions.
The caravans arrived exactly as he had foretold, yet many still refused to believe.
27: Abu Bakr (RA) Becomes As-Siddiq
When Abu Bakr (RA) heard that the Prophet ﷺ claimed to have traveled to Jerusalem and returned in one night, he immediately said:
“If he said it, then it is true.”
Because of his complete trust in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, Abu Bakr (RA) became famously known as As-Siddiq (The Truthful).
His unwavering faith remains an example for Muslims throughout history.
Lessons from Isra and Mi’raj
The miraculous journey of Isra and Mi’raj teaches timeless lessons for every believer:
- Allah is capable of all things.
- Hardship is followed by Allah’s help and honor.
- Salah is the greatest gift given to the Muslim Ummah.
- The unseen is accepted through faith in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
- Patience, obedience, and trust in Allah lead to success in this life and the Hereafter.
- The life of the Hereafter is the ultimate reality, so believers should prepare for it through righteous deeds.
Conclusion
Isra and Mi’raj is not only one of the greatest miracles in Islamic history but also a reminder of Allah’s limitless power, mercy, and wisdom. From the Night Journey to the Seven Heavens, the meeting with the prophets, the gift of Salah, and the return to Makkah, every stage of this blessed event strengthens the faith of believers.
By studying this miraculous journey through authentic Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, Muslims deepen their love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and renew their commitment to worship Allah sincerely and follow His guidance.
The Isra and Mi’raj Story remains one of the most inspiring events in Islamic history. By reflecting on the Isra and Mi’raj Story, Muslims strengthen their faith, appreciate the gift of prayer, and remember Allah’s mercy and power.
Isra and Miraj is one of the most extraordinary events in Islamic history and contains deep lessons about faith, prayer, and the unseen world. To explore related Islamic subjects, read about angels in Islam, Paradise in Islam, and the beautiful names of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
FAQs
What is the Isra and Mi’raj Story?
The Isra and Mi’raj Story is the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Why is the Isra and Mi’raj Story important?
It shows Allah’s power and marks the gift of the five daily prayers.
Which Quran verse mentions the Isra and Mi’raj Story?
The journey is mentioned in Surah Al-Isra (17:1) and referenced in Surah An-Najm (53:13–18).
What was the greatest gift of the Isra and Mi’raj Story?
The greatest gift was the obligation of the five daily prayers (Salah).
