Brief History of Isra and Miraaj

Isra means walking at night whereas Miraaj means to ascend. The Isra and Miraaj consist of two parts of the miraculous journey in which the first journey is Al-Haram mosque to Al-Aqsa mosque and the second journey is an ascension to the heavens.

The event of Miraaj occurred on the 27 night of the Islamic month of Rajab when Allah Almighty sent angle (Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to bring him to Allah. First Prophet (PBUH) was taken to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (On reaching Jerusalem, Prophet Muhammad SAW offered the prayer with all former Prophets) and from there, he ascended to skies and the higher journey started.

As Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Holy is He (Allah) who did take His Servant for Journey by night from the Holy Mosque (in Makah) to the farther Mosque- whose surroundings We have blessed that We might show him some of Our signs. Indeed He alone is All-Hearing, All-Seeing (17:1)

The verse of this Quran refers to the peak of Miraj where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met Allah Almighty face to face.

 Al-Haram and Al-Aqsa are both holiest mosques.

Muhammad (PBUH) said "Do not prepare yourself for a journey except to three Mosques: Masjid al-Haram, the Mosque of Aqsa (Jerusalem) and my Mosque (Masjid –e-Nabwi).  

[Sahi-Bukhari]

Muslim should visit these holy sites according to this hadith. Muslims perform the Umrah and annually Hajj. During their holy journey, they visit the Al-Haram mosque and Al-Nabwi mosque. But nowadays Hajj’s expenses are increasing continuously.

 Therefore everyone performs Umrah and Hajj by different packages as Cheap Umrah Packages and Cheap Hajj Packages.

 There are 3 other major things that happened on the night of Isra and Miraaj.

Meeting With Prophets:

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) met other Prophets on different skies.

At the 1st Heaven, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met Hazrat Adam (AS). Prophet Adam (AS) had bodies to his left side and right. When he looked on the left he cried and when he looked at the right he laughed. These bodies were the spirits of people, on the left were the ones who were atheists and for them, there was punishment, while on the right were the adherents the great Muslims, for whom there was the reward.

At the 2nd Heaven, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met Hazrat Isaa (AS) and Hazrat Yahya (AS) and they both were maternal cousins and Prophets of their time. They both welcomed Him and made supplications full of good tidings for Him.

At the 3rd Heaven, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met Hazrat Yusuf (AS). Yusuf (AS) was known for His beauty. Yusuf (AS) gave the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) a warm welcome and supplicated for Him.

At the 4th Heaven, Prophet (PBUH) met Hazrat Idris (AS), who also greeted Him pleasantly and prayed for Him.

At the 5th Heaven, Prophet (PBUH) met with the Hazrat Haroon (AS) who was the brother of Hazrat Moosa (AS) greeted Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and prayed for Him.

At the 6th Heaven, Prophet (PBUH) met with Hazrat Moosa (AS) who also greeted Him and prayed for Him.

At the 7th Heaven, Prophet (PBUH) met with Hazrat Abraham (AS) who also greeted Him. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was standing with his back stayed on Bayt al-Mamur.

Five-Time Prayers:

When Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) met to Allah, then Allah gifted his Prophet with five prayers and after that five prayers made compulsory for Muslims. The first time it was the fifty prayers but on the request of Prophet (PBUH), Allah had reduced it.

“O Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)! These prayers need to be performed five times a day. However, there are ten rewards for each prayer!” (Muslim Sharif)

According to this hadith, Muslim will offer five prayers whereas rewarded by fifty prayers.

Showing of Paradise and Hell:

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) also visited Heaven and Hell during His journey (Israa and Miraaj). In hell Prophet (PBUH) saw all types of people whom punishments were given. There were adulterers who were eating meat with a rotten smell. There was those who were eating red-hot stones because they occupied the property of orphans.

In Heaven, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw all types of blessings and gifts and also saw Hur-ul Ayn.

Conclusion:

The night of Israa and Miraaj is one of a most respected night for Muslim and the journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is looked upon as one of the holiest and greatest miracles that Allah provided to only Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Muslims celebrate this night by lighting with candles and electric lights and Muslims offer optional prayers.