The events of Isra and Miraj are among the greatest miracles in the life of our Master (saw). While it was a remarkable occurrence that had never been witnessed before, it was a significant trial for many people and a tremendous source of glad tidings for Muslims.

Although Isra, in its literal sense, means “night journey,” its usage in modern language refers to “covering a great distance in a short time.” This is exactly what the Rasul of Allah (saw) did on that night.

Similarly, the phenomenon of ‘tayyi mekan’ (covering distance in an instant) that has been observed in various saints and individuals throughout history, where they are present in one place and then suddenly appear in another, is an inherited quality from the miraculous nature of the Rasul of Allah (saw).

As for Miraj, it signifies the transition from the material dimension to the metaphysical or luminous dimension. There are two perspectives regarding this event, one being the physical ascent and the other being the spiritual ascent.

The state witnessed in our Master, and later confirmed in highly elevated saints, encompasses both the physical and spiritual aspects; it occurred in both forms. The events of Isra and Miraj, according to the hadiths compiled from various collections, unfolds as follows:

 

One night, while the Rasul of Allah (saw) was sleeping at the house of his cousin Umm Hani, Gabriel (pbuh) came and split open the chest of the Rasul. Then he washed his heart with Zamzam water and filled it with faith and wisdom, the nature of which only Allah and His Rasul knew.

After this, our Master was mounted on a creature called Buraq and was taken straight to the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Those with profound understanding indicate that this journey took place in a moment or a short period of time.

At the Masjid al-Aqsa, Abraham (pbuh), Moses (pbuh), Jesus (pbuh) and many other Rasuls and Nabis were spiritually present. Our Master led them in prayer there.

After this prayer our Master was presented with three separate cups containing water, milk, and syrup, and he was asked to choose one. At that moment, a voice came to him:

“If you choose water, both you and your ummah will be content and satisfied without any need. If you choose milk, both you and your ummah will remain on the straight path. If you choose syrup, both you and your ummah will face deprivation.”

The Rasul of Allah (saw) selected the cup containing milk from the three cups.

Upon this, Gabriel (pbuh) said: “O Muhammad, you have chosen what is natural and in accordance with your disposition. You are on the straight path, and your ummah will follow this path.”

Afterward, the journey of Miraj began.

Regarding Miraj, our Master (saw) says the following:

“I have not seen anything more beautiful than the Miraj! Your deceased ones fix their gaze upon it at the moment of their death! My Rabb elevated me in it from one gate to another until I reached the highest point!”

Let us continue to listen to the rest of the account from our Master’s own words:

“The name of the gate I reached was the ‘Gate of Protection.’ It is the Gate of the Worldly Heaven, guarded by the celestial guardians. Here, Gabriel said, ‘Open!’ and they asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ They asked, ‘Who is with you?’ He answered, ‘Muhammad.’ They asked, ‘Is he invited?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ Then the gate was opened, and they greeted me.

And lo and behold! I encountered an angel named Ismail, whose duty is to guard the Heavens. In his retinue, there are seventy thousand angels, and each of them has a retinue of one hundred thousand angels.

After that, I encountered a man whose original form was as Allah created him on the day of creation. There was no change in him. The spirits of his offspring are presented to him. If it is the spirit of a believer, it gives off a pleasant fragrance. He says, ‘Record this in Illiyyin.’ But if it is an impure spirit, then it emits a foul odor. He says, ‘Record this in Sijjin.’

I asked, ‘O Gabriel, who is this?’

He replied, ‘He is your father, Adam.’

And he greeted me, saying, ‘Greetings, O righteous Nabi, O righteous son!’

Then I saw a group of people whose lips were like camel lips. They were given certain tasks, cutting their lips and placing a burning coal in their mouths, causing it to fall down from below.

I asked Gabriel, ‘Who are these people?’

He answered, ‘They are those who consume the property of orphans through injustice.’

Then I saw yet another group of people. Their skins were being peeled off and stuffed into their mouths, and it was said to them, ‘Eat as you have eaten.’ And they were in the most repugnant state.

I asked again, “O Gabriel, and what of those?” 

“These are the backbiters who consume people’s flesh through gossip and spread malicious words that tarnish the honor and reputation of others,” he replied. 

Then I looked again and saw another group of people. A table was set before them, filled with the most delicious meat kebabs, surrounded by rotting carcasses. Instead of enjoying the delicious meat, they were eating the decaying flesh. Again, I asked, “And who are these, O Gabriel?” “They are the ones who commit adultery, forsaking what Allah has made lawful for them and seeking pleasure and desire in forbidden acts,” he answered. 

Then I saw another group of people with bellies like huge containers. They were situated on the path of the people of Pharaoh, who were being led towards Hellfire. These individuals trampled over the bodies of Pharaoh and his people as they went back and forth.

I asked again, “O Gabriel, who are these?” “These are the ones who consume usury,” he replied. Then I saw a group of women hanging by their breasts, and another group of women hanging upside down by their feet. “And who are these?” I asked Gabriel. He answered, “These are the women who commit adultery and kill their children.” 

Then we ascended to the Second Heaven. There we met Joseph (pbuh), and his followers from his ummah were also around him. His face shone like the full moon on the Night of Badr. He greeted me, “Welcome, righteous Nabi, righteous brother!”

Then we ascended to the Third Heaven. There, I encountered my esteemed cousins, Jesus (pbuh) and John (pbuh). I greeted them with salutations. Next, we proceeded to the Fourth Heaven, where I met Enoch (pbuh). We exchanged greetings. We then ascended to the Fifth Heaven. There, I encountered Aaron (pbuh), the brother of Moses, who was beloved to his people. He was surrounded by many of his followers. He had a long beard, and we exchanged greetings. Subsequently, we reached the Sixth Heaven, where I met Moses (pbuh), the son of Imam Imran. He had a hairy body, and Moses said to me, “People oppress me, claiming to be the noblest of those whom Allah has created, while I am merely the noblest among my ummah.” 

Then we ascended to the Seventh Heaven. There, I met Abraham (pbuh), who had his back against the Sacred House (Bait-ul-Ma’mur). He greeted me and said, “This is your abode and the abode of your ummah.”

Then I entered Bait-ul-Ma’mur and performed prayers there. Seventy thousand angels enter it every day, and their turn never comes again until the Day of Judgment. After that, Gabriel took me to such great heights that I heard the sounds of the pen writing. Finally, we reached the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha). There, Gabriel said to me, “This is the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. If I were to proceed even a fingertip’s length further, I would be consumed by its light.” 

Finally, I encountered my Rabb. I greeted Him by saying, “At tahıyyatu al mubarakatuhu was salawatu wat tayyibatu...” (Blessings, prayers, and pure words are for Allah). He responded, “Salam be upon you, O Nabi, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.”