Introduction:
The Isra and Mi’raj event holds great significance and lessons in the hearts of Muslims. The event occurred after a difficult year for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and it served to uplift him from the state he was in after the loss of his uncle and wife, who were his pillars of support. The journey was a test of the Prophet’s faith in God and a test of the sincerity and truthfulness of the Muslims. Some believed in the Prophet’s journey, while others denied it.
The journey of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj was a gift from God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to alleviate the harm of the non-believers towards him. It is said to have taken place in the eleventh or twelfth year of the Prophethood. It is one of the virtues of God and His generosity and gratitude to the Prophet, distinguishing him from other Muslims, especially after a difficult year that the Prophet had experienced. However, when the Prophet returned, the Quraysh tribe ridiculed him to the point that some of them clapped and whistled mockingly. But Prophet Muhammad insisted on affirming it and that he had indeed traveled to Jerusalem in a celestial journey accompanied by Gabriel on a creature called Al-Buraq. He described Al-Buraq to them, its appearance, and the details of the entire journey, but not everyone believed him. And this was a test of the faith and sincerity of the Muslims. Here we should mention the companion Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, He was a noble companion, He was given the title “Al-Siddiq” because he was the first one to believe in the incident of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj. That’s why the Prophet, peace be upon him, gave him the title “Al-Siddiq,” which means “the truthful.” He was a true friend to the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him. He supported and stood by him in all circumstances and trials.
The night of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj consists of two journeys, not just one. The journey of Al-Israa’ is when the Prophet, peace be upon him, traveled at night from the Sacred Mosque to Al-Aqsa Mosque, accompanied by Gabriel on a creature called Al-Buraq. The Prophet, peace be upon him, described Al-Buraq as a white animal, tall, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, with its hooves reaching the farthest point. It was called Al-Buraq because it would emit flashes of light in the sky between the east and the west.
The journey of Al-Mi’raj is the ascent of the Prophet, peace be upon him, from the earth to the heavens. It can be summarized as the Prophet, peace be upon him, ascending through the seven heavens, one by one, until reaching the seventh heaven. In each heaven, he met one or two of the great prophets. In the first heaven, he met Adam, peace be upon him. In the second heaven, he met Yehia and Issa, peace be upon them. In the third heaven, he met Yusuf, peace be upon him. In the fourth heaven, he met Idrees, peace be upon him. In the fifth heaven, he met Haron, peace be upon him. In the sixth heaven, he met Mosa, peace be upon him. And in the seventh heaven, he met Ebraham, peace be upon him. Finally, he reached the seventh heaven, marked by the Lote Tree, signifying the highest spiritual state a human being can reach. And the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, prayed and sent greetings to the prophets he met on his journey. This was a special and blessed moment for the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the prophets he met. Then, the word of God came on the night of Isra and Mi’raj, and the Prophet was commanded to establish prayer as an obligation for the Muslims. Initially, the prayer was fifty times, but upon the request of Prophet Mosa, peace be upon him, the Prophet, peace be upon him, sought reduction from God. Thus, it continued to fluctuate between them until it was reduced to five prayers. And so, the matter was finalized by the approval of God.
