Isra Wal Miraj, also known as Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj, Shab-e-Meraj, or Miraj un Nabi ﷺ, is one of the most profound and spiritually significant events in Islamic history. This miraculous night journey took place on the 27th night of the Islamic month of Rajab, when Allah Almighty honored His beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with a journey beyond human limits.
This extraordinary event is not merely a historical incident but a foundation of faith, confirming the truth of Prophethood, the importance of Salah, and the unseen realities of the heavens.
What Is the 27th Night of Rajab?
The 27th night of Rajab is widely observed by Muslims as Shab-e-Meraj, the night when Isra and Miraj occurred.
It is believed that on this blessed night:
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ traveled from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (Isra).
- Then ascended through the heavens to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (Miraj).
Although scholars differ on the exact date, the 27th of Rajab remains the most commonly recognized night in Islamic tradition.
Meaning of Isra and Miraj
Isra (الإسراء)
- The word Isra means “night journey”.
- It refers to the Prophet’s ﷺ journey from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa in a single night.
Miraj (المعراج)
- Miraj means “ascension”.
- It refers to the Prophet’s ﷺ ascent from Jerusalem to the heavens, where he met various prophets and was granted divine commandments.
Together, the event is known as Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj.
What Is the Story of Shab-e-Meraj? (Isra Wal Miraj Full Story)
The Beginning of the Miraculous Journey
One night, while Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in Makkah, Angel Jibreel (AS) came with a heavenly mount called Buraq.
The Prophet ﷺ traveled:
- From Masjid al-Haram (Makkah).
- To Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).
This journey occurred physically and spiritually, not as a dream.
Masjid al-Aqsa and Leadership of the Prophets
At Masjid al-Aqsa, the Prophet ﷺ:
- Led all previous prophets in prayer.
- Demonstrated his position as Seal of the Prophets.
This established the spiritual connection between Islam and earlier revelations.
The Miraj – Ascension Through the Heavens
From Jerusalem, the Prophet ﷺ ascended through the heavens and met different prophets AS:
| Heaven | Prophet Met |
|---|---|
| 1st | Adam (AS) |
| 2nd | Isa (AS) & Yahya (AS) |
| 3rd | Yusuf (AS) |
| 4th | Idris (AS) |
| 5th | Harun (AS) |
| 6th | Musa (AS) |
| 7th | Ibrahim (AS) |
Beyond the seventh heaven, the Prophet ﷺ reached Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, a station no creation had reached before.
Gift of Salah – The Greatest Blessing of Miraj
During Miraj un Nabi ﷺ, Allah Almighty initially commanded 50 daily prayers.
Upon the advice of Prophet Musa (AS), the Prophet ﷺ returned multiple times until:
- Five daily prayers were made obligatory.
- With the reward of 50 prayers.
This is why Salah is the only act of worship given directly from Allah without intermediaries.
Is Isra Wal Miraj Mentioned in the Quran?
Yes, Isra Wal Miraj Is in the Quran
Surah Al-Isra (17:1) states:
“Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa…”
Miraj is also indicated in:
- Surah An-Najm (53:13-18)
These verses confirm that Isra wal-Mi’raj is a Quranic reality, not a legend.
Isra Wal Miraj in Hadith
The Full Story of Al-Isrāʾ wal-Miʿrāj According to Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ narrated that while he was in Makkah, the roof of his house was opened and the Angel Jibrīl (peace be upon him) descended. Jibrīl opened his blessed chest, removed his heart, and washed it in a golden vessel filled with Zamzam water. After cleansing it, he filled it with īmān and wisdom and then returned it to its place. This preparation was a real and physical event, signifying that what was to follow would occur while the Prophet ﷺ was fully awake and in his bodily form, not in a dream or vision.
After this, Jibrīl brought a remarkable creature called al-Burāq, white in color, larger than a donkey and smaller than a mule, whose stride reached the farthest point of sight. The Prophet ﷺ mounted al-Burāq, and Jibrīl accompanied him on a miraculous night journey from Masjid al-Ḥarām in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqṣā in Jerusalem. Upon reaching Masjid al-Aqṣā, the Prophet ﷺ dismounted and tied al-Burāq to the ring where the prophets before him had tied their mounts. He then entered the sacred mosque, where all the previous prophets had been gathered by Allah. Jibrīl instructed him to lead them in prayer, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood as their imām, leading them in ṣalāh, thus affirming his position as the final prophet and the leader of all messengers.
After the prayer, Jibrīl presented two vessels before the Prophet ﷺ, one containing milk and the other containing wine. The Prophet ﷺ chose the milk, and Jibrīl said to him that he had chosen the natural disposition, and that his ummah would also remain upon this fitrah. Following this, Jibrīl took the Prophet ﷺ upward for the ascension through the heavens. When they reached the gate of the lowest heaven, Jibrīl sought permission to enter. The gatekeeper asked who was with him, and when informed that it was Muhammad ﷺ, the gate was opened with honor and welcome.
In the first heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Ādam (peace be upon him), who welcomed him warmly as a righteous son and a righteous prophet. The Prophet ﷺ saw the souls of human beings being presented to Ādam, who would rejoice upon seeing the souls of the righteous and grieve upon seeing the souls of the wicked. The ascension then continued to the second heaven, where the Prophet ﷺ met ʿĪsā ibn Maryam and Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyyā (peace be upon them both). They welcomed him and prayed for his success. In the third heaven, he met Yūsuf (peace be upon him), whom Allah had granted exceptional beauty, and he too welcomed the Prophet ﷺ with honor and supplication.
In the fourth heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Idrīs (peace be upon him), whom Allah had raised to a high station. In the fifth heaven, he met Hārūn (peace be upon him), surrounded by many followers from his nation, and Hārūn greeted him with love and respect. When the Prophet ﷺ reached the sixth heaven, he met Mūsā (peace be upon him). After welcoming him, Mūsā later wept and explained that although Muhammad ﷺ was sent after him, more people from Muhammad’s ummah would enter Paradise than from his own nation. Finally, in the seventh heaven, the Prophet ﷺ met Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him), who was reclining against al-Bayt al-Maʿmūr, the heavenly house visited daily by seventy thousand angels who never return to it again.
From there, the Prophet ﷺ was taken to Sidrat al-Muntahā, a majestic lote tree beyond which none of creation may pass. Its beauty was beyond description, with leaves like elephant ears and fruits like large vessels, and it was covered by colors and light that the Prophet ﷺ could not fully describe. At this point, Jibrīl stopped and informed the Prophet ﷺ that he could go no further, for if he advanced beyond that point, he would be burned, whereas the Prophet ﷺ was allowed to proceed by Allah’s command.
It was there that Allah, exalted and majestic, spoke to His Messenger ﷺ and made fifty daily prayers obligatory upon his ummah. As the Prophet ﷺ descended, he encountered Mūsā (peace be upon him), who advised him to return to his Lord and request a reduction, as the ummah would not be able to bear such a burden. The Prophet ﷺ returned repeatedly to Allah, and each time the number was reduced, until it was finally set at five daily prayers. Allah then declared that these five prayers would carry the reward of fifty and that His decree would not be changed.
During this journey, the Prophet ﷺ was shown scenes from Paradise and Hellfire. He saw the blessings prepared for the righteous and the punishments awaiting those who disobey Allah, including people being punished for neglecting prayer, consuming usury, committing adultery, and engaging in backbiting. These sights were shown to him as lessons and warnings for his ummah.
Before the night ended, the Prophet ﷺ was returned to Makkah. When he informed the Quraysh of what had happened, they mocked and denied him. Allah then displayed Masjid al-Aqṣā clearly before the Prophet ﷺ, and he described it in precise detail, leaving no doubt. When the news reached Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), he immediately affirmed the truth of the Prophet ﷺ without hesitation, saying that if Muhammad ﷺ had said it, then it must be true. From that day, Abū Bakr was known as aṣ-Ṣiddīq.
This is the authentic and complete narration of Al-Isrāʾ wal-Miʿrāj as preserved by Imam Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ. It affirms the physical reality of the journey, the honor bestowed upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the central importance of ṣalāh as the greatest gift given to the ummah on that blessed night.
Shab-e-Meraj History
Shab-e-Meraj occurred during a difficult period in the Prophet’s ﷺ life:
- After the Makkans boycotted the Prophet ﷺ.
- After Makkans tortured the Prophet ﷺ and the incident of Taif.
- After the Prophet ﷺ lost his two close family members and supporters – Khadijah (RA) and Abu Talib.
Allah honored His Messenger ﷺ with comfort, elevation, and divine closeness.
Miraj Un Nabi – Islamic Date & Year
- Miraj un Nabi Islamic date: 27th of Rajab.
- Approximate year: 621 CE (before Hijrah).
Isra Wal Miraj 2025 & 2026
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Isra Wal Miraj 2025 | Night of 26–27 January 2025 |
| Shab-e-Meraj 2026 | Mid-January 2026 |
| Miraj Un Nabi 2026 | 27th Rajab 1447 AH |
(*Dates may vary based on moon sighting.)
Isra Wal Miraj in Arabic
الإسراء والمعراج
Al-Isrāʾ wal-Miʿrāj
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Lessons From Isra Wal Miraj
- Salah is the pillar of Islam.
- The unseen world is real.
- Hardship is followed by divine honor.
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the leader of all prophets.
Isra Wal Miraj, Miraj un Nabi ﷺ, and Shab-e-Meraj are timeless reminders of Allah’s power and mercy. This miraculous journey strengthened the Prophet ﷺ and continues to strengthen the faith of believers until today.
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