There were many miracles in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some of them enabled him to keep providing food and water for his companions, while others include the splitting of the moon. However, one of the greatest miracles Allah blessed His messenger with, was the night journey.
This event occurred before the Muslims migrated to Madinah. During the night journey, the Prophet (PBUH) traveled from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, ascended to the heavens to meet other prophets and speak with Allah, and then returned to Makkah.
The story of what happened during the night journey is contained in the Quran. The events are further elaborated on in detail in the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
Some Muslims, who may be of weak faith, reject the physical reality of the night journey. However, there is plenty of evidence that points towards the truth. This was indeed a physical journey undertaken by the Prophet (PBUH); the whole journey took place on one specific night. Consequently, it was one of the miracles that Allah blessed the Prophet (PBUH) with, and He is the All-Powerful Being capable of doing anything.
If you are interested in Quranic stories, you may want to read about the Four Stories of Surah al-Kahf.
The beginning of the night journey to Jerusalem (Isra’)
In the 10th year of Prophethood, the Prophet (PBUH) endured two major losses: his uncle Abu Talib, who had provided him with significant support and tribal protection despite not accepting Islam, and his wife Khadijah (r.a.), his greatest support in the early years of Prophethood. This year was called Aam al-Huzn or the Year of Grief.
During this period of sorrow, Allah reassured the Prophet (PBUH) with the promise that ease follows hardship, as mentioned in Surah Ash-Sharh. This reassurance set the stage for the Night Journey.
While the Prophet (PBUH) slept in the Sacred Mosque, Anas bin Malik (r.a.) narrates that three angels visited him. Jibril (a.s.) opened his chest, removed and purified his heart with Zamzam water, then filled it with belief and wisdom from a gold tray. After this, Jibril closed his chest and presented the Prophet (PBUH) with Buraq, a white animal for the journey.
Events at Masjid al-Aqsa during the night journey
The Prophet (PBUH) journeyed on Buraq from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem in a single night, covering over 1000 kilometers. Upon arrival, he led a prayer with past prophets, who stood behind him.
While in Jerusalem, the Prophet (PBUH) was offered two cups: one with milk and the other with wine.
Ascension to the Heavens: The Beginning Of Mi’raj
The Prophet (PBUH) detailed this event in a Hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Jibril ascended to the nearest Heaven and requested the gate to be opened. He identified himself and then mentioned that he was accompanied by Muhammad (PBUH). This process of identification and gate opening continued as he ascended through the other heavens.
Meeting the prophets during the night journey
At the first and nearest heaven, the Prophet (PBUH) met Adam (a.s.), the first man and prophet. The Prophet (PBUH) greeted him, to which Adam (a.s.) replied, welcoming him and calling him a good son.
Around that Heaven, there was a river with a palace of pearls and emeralds at the bank (Night Journey). The Prophet (PBUH) then asked Jibril about the river. He replied that it was the Kauthar which Allah kept for him.
At the second Heaven, the Prophet (PBUH) encountered the cousins, Isa and Yahya (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) greeted them, and they welcomed him
On to the third Heaven, and then, the Prophet (PBUH) met Yusuf (a.s.). He greeted him, to which the prophet said that he was welcome, calling him a brother and prophet.
At the fourth Heaven, the Prophet (PBUH) then met Idris (a.s.) and offered him his greetings. He welcomed him as well.
The Prophet (PBUH) went on to the fifth Heaven and then met Harun (a.s.). Similarly, he greeted him, and the prophet replied with a message of welcome too.
Next, the Prophet (PBUH) ascended to the sixth Heaven and saw Musa (a.s.).He greeted Musa (a.s.) and was warmly received. After departing, Musa (a.s.) began to cry. When asked why, he explained that he wept because a prophet had come after him whose followers would enter Heaven in greater numbers than his own.
Hence, the immense respect shown by all of the prophets shows the high status of the Prophet (PBUH).
The Seventh Heaven and Beyond
During the next stage of the night journey, the Prophet (PBUH) rose to the seventh Heaven, where he encountered Ibrahim (a.s.). He greeted him, and in response, Ibrahim (a.s.) welcomed him.
After seeing Ibrahim (a.s.), the Prophet (PBUH) saw al-Bayt al-Ma’mur. He asked Jibril (a.s.) about the house, and he replied that it was al-Bait al-Ma’mur. Here, 70,000 angels performed prayers daily. They would never return – it was always a fresh batch that would come and pray.
The immense number of angels in this equation shows us Allah’s greatness. 70,000 unique angels daily mean over 25 million angels per just one year. Multiply that with the existence of the universe for thousands, and maybe millions of years, and the number of angels swells to an absolutely massive amount.
The Prophet (PBUH) then ascended to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, the Lote-Tree of the Utmost Boundary. He described its fruits as resembling the jars of Hajr near Medina, and its leaves as large as elephant ears. There were four rivers: two visible, the Nile and Euphrates, and two hidden in Paradise. Jibril (a.s.) confirmed this description.
Talking to Allah and the Five Daily Prayers
There is some confusion over whether the Prophet (PBUH) saw Allah with his eyes during the night journey. However, several authentic statements clear this up. The Prophet (PBUH) was asked whether he saw Allah, to which he replied that Allah is veiled by light. Therefore, how could he see him?
After this, Allah spoke directly to the Prophet (PBUH). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not provide details about the interaction, but he said that Allah prescribed 50 daily prayers for him.
As the Prophet (PBUH) was descending, he passed by Musa (a.s.) and told him of the 50 prayers obligation. Musa (a.s.) urged him to go back to Allah. He said that his followers wouldn’t be able to pray 50 prayers a day and asked him to ask for a reduction from Allah, to lessen the burden.
So, Muhammad (PBUH) returned to Allah, who reduced 10 prayers. Musa (a.s.) told him to return and ask for more reduction, and this continued until the Prophet (PBUH) announced that Allah had made five prayers obligatory. When Musa (a.s.) requested the Prophet (PBUH) to ask for more, the Prophet (PBUH) felt ashamed and chose to be content with the five daily prayers.
Return to Makkah
The Prophet (PBUH) returned to Makkah within hours of his night journey. His direct communication with Allah strengthened his faith. He now had the duty to share the obligation of the five daily prayers with his followers. Additionally, he needed to explain the night journey to the people of Makkah.
While seated in the mosque, Abu Jahl taunted the Prophet (PBUH), asking if he had anything new to report. Muhammad (PBUH) revealed his night journey to Jerusalem. Abu Jahl challenged him to repeat it publicly, which the Prophet (PBUH) did. The people of Makkah mocked him, and Abu Jahl took pleasure in their ridicule. Despite this, Abu Bakr firmly believed in the Prophet’s (PBUH) words.
Some present had been to Jerusalem and questioned the Prophet (PBUH) about his journey. He accurately described even the smallest details, disproving the skeptics. Ibn Hisham narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) encountered a caravan on his return, noted a lost camel, and drank their water. The caravan confirmed the details, validating the Prophet’s (PBUH) account. As Surah al-Anfal states, while people plan, Allah is the best of planners.
