Isra Wal Miraj - Authentic

The Night of Isra and Miraj Hafiz Ather Hussain al-Azhari
1 www.IslamicCentre.org
The Night of al-Isr wal-Mirj
An account of the miraculous night journey of the Beloved Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allh be upon him).

by
Dr. Hfiz Ather Hussain al-Azhar

Edited by Allma Shhid Raz Nam.

Introduction.

The Isr & Mirj

The Isr & Mirj refers to the night when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be
upon him) was taken on a miraculous journey by Allh Almighty. Most scholars agree
that this night fell on the twenty-seventh of Rajab
1
, one year before the migration of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) from Makka to Madna.
2

The word Isr means to travel by night. This indicates the Prophets (peace and blessings
of Allh be upon him) journey from Makka to Masjid Aqs in Jerusalem. Mirj means
the means of ascending. This word is used to describe the upward journey from
Jerusalem to the heavens and beyond.

Scholars have said that for the Ummah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be
upon him), the Night of Qadr (Layla al-Qadr) constitutes the most important night of the
Islamic calendar. This is because worship on this night is better than a thousand
months.
3
As for the Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)
personally, the Night of al-Isr wal-Mirj was the greatest night.

The true importance and significance of this night for our Beloved Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) is perhaps beyond our limited comprehension. Despite
the huge literature available on this night, the countless ahdth and the sayings of our
pious predecessors, we can merely outline what happened on this auspicious occasion.
The true nature and reality of this night is in essence a beautiful secret between Allh
Almighty and His Beloved Messenger.

1
p. 480. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.) See also p. 209, Sahh Muslim
bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol I; Part II.
2
p. 481. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
3
Srah al-Qadr; verse 3.
For more Authentic Literature of Ahle Sunnah: QadriInstitute.com, Fatimah.com, AhleBayt.net, Jilani.org find us a Facbook as well.


The Background to the Isr and Mirj.

Perhaps one can only truly appreciate the importance of the miraculous journey when the
historical perspective is analysed. Most historians agree that the Isr & Mirj took place
in the tenth year after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) first
received the revelation (wahy). Clearly he was facing anxiety and hardship at the time.
Firstly, his endless effort to invite people to Islam in Makka was sometimes met with
disappointment. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) geared all his
energies into this task, but the infidels were often staunch, insulting and disinterested.
Secondly, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) had to endure the
personal tragedy of the death of his wife Sayyida Khadja (may Allh be pleased with
her). Thirdly, the episode of Tif hurt the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon
him) immensely. He travelled there to invite people to Islam, but the inhabitants
blasphemously mistreated the Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon
him).

All these factors made the Isr & Mirj a very special gift from Allh Almighty to the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him). As Pr Muhammad Karam Shh al-
Azhar notes, the historical circumstances at the time meant there was no better time for
the Night Journey to occur.
4
Despite the obvious hardship and strain, Allh reiterated His
closeness and love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) by inviting
him to the heavens.

The Isr & Mirj; a detailed account.

The Isr & Mirj from the Holy Qurn.

There are two Srahs in the Holy Qurn that refer to the Isr & Mirj; Srah Ban Isrl
(also called Srah al-Isr) and Srah al-Najm. The verse from Srah Ban Isrl refers to
the journey from Makka to Jerusalem, whereas Srah al-Najm refers to the ascension to
the heavens.

Srah Ban Isrl

Glorified be He Who carried His blessed servant in the span of a night from the
Sacred Mosque to the Aqs Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed- so that
We may show Our servant signs of Our glory. Verily, He is the All-Hearing, the
All-Seeing.
5

4
p. 623, vol. II. Zi al-Qurn. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari.
5
Srah al-Isr, verse 1. The translation has been taken from Jaml al-Qurn, (Professor Anis Ahmed
Sheikh).


Srah al-Najm

By the bright shining star, when it came down (on the night of Ascension). Your
(life-long) Companion neither strayed from the right path nor was misled. And he
speaks not of his own desire. This is not but a revelation that is revealed to him.
By One Mighty in Power who has taught him. The Lord of great wisdom. Then he
made for the heights. And he was on the highest point of the horizon. Then the
Splendid Vision drew near, and came nearer still. Till there was a distance of two-
bow lengths or even less. So Allh revealed to His beloved servant what He
revealed. The heart lied not in what the Prophets eye saw. Do you then dispute
with him about what he saw? And indeed he saw that splendid vision for the
second time. Near the Lote-Tree at the farthest end. Near to it is the Garden of
Eternity. When that was covering the Lote-Tree, which was covering it. The
Prophets eye did not wander, nor it trespassed the limit of respect. Certainly he
saw the great signs of his Lord.
6

All the scholars agree that these verses from Srah al-Najm relate to the Mirj of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him). However, there is a small difference
of opinion regarding who exactly is being referred to in these verses. Some believe that
the meeting of Jibrl (peace be upon him) and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh
be upon him) is being described. This was the first time the Prophet saw Jibrl in his
original, created form. The majority and correct opinion is that these verses are in fact
referring to the Prophets encounter with Allh Almighty.
7

_______________

The Isr & Mirj from ahdth.

There are countless authentic narrations to be found in all books of hadth that relate the
events of the Isr & Mirj. These ahdth vary in detail and length. What follows is a
narration as recorded by Imm Muslim ibn Hajjj in his Sahh,
8
which has been
mentioned in its entirety. This particular narration has been chosen because it is
considerably detailed. Additional commentary and analysis is offered in the footnotes.

________________

While I was at the House [i.e. the Kaba] in a state midway between sleep and
wakefulness
9
, (an angel recognised me) as the man lying between two men.
10
A golden

6
Srah al-Najm; verses 1-18.
7
p. 521-527. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
8
Sahh Muslim; Book of Imn, Chapter; the Night Journey of the Prophet (hadith no. 234). From the
narration of Hasan ibn Musa, from Hammd ibn Salama, from Thbit al-Banani, from Anas ibn Mlik. The
first paragraph is taken from Imm al-Bukhrs narration (Book of the Beginning of Creation; Chapter the
Mentioning of Angels).
9
Other narrations mention that the Prophet was resting next to the hatim at the time, which is the semi-
circular, external part of the Kabah. (p. 624, vol.II. Zi al-Qurn, Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari).

tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the
throat to the lower part of the abdomen and then my abdomen was washed with Zamzam
water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief.
11

The Burq
12
was brought to me. This is a white animal larger than a donkey but smaller
than a mule. It can place its hoofs to the [furthest] point it can see. So I mounted it. So I
was taken on a journey
13
until I reached Bayt al-Muqaddas [in Jerusalem]. So I tied the
animal to the ring where the prophets tie theirs. Then I entered [the mosque] and I prayed
two rakats in there. I recognised the prophets there; some were standing and some were
in ruk and some were in prostration. A caller made the call for Prayer (adhn) and
prayer was performed. We stood and made the rows and waited for someone to lead the
prayer. Thus, Jibrl took my hand and placed me forward. So, I performed salh with
them.
14
Then I came out and Jibrl (peace be upon him) came to me with a vessel of wine
and milk. Thus I chose the milk, upon which Jibrl said: you have chosen the natural (al-
fitra).
15

Then I was taken on ascension to the worldly skies. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he
was asked: Who are you? He replied: Jibrl. He was then asked: and who is with
you? He replied: Muhammad. He was asked: and he has been sent for? Jibrl replied:
Yes. It was then said: He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!
16

So it was opened for us, and there was dam. He welcomed us and prayed for my
wellbeing.

Then I was taken on ascension to the second sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
asked: who are you? He replied: Jibrl. He was then asked: and who is with you? He
replied: Muhammad. He was asked: and he has been sent? Jibrl replied: Yes. It was
then said: He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!

10
The two men were Hamza and Jafar ibn Abu Tlib (may Allh be pleased with them). (p. 358. al-Sharh
al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. Abd Allh al-Harawi).
11
This has been referred to as the Shaqq Sadar, or splitting of the chest. This also happened to the
Prophet when he was a young child.
12
The word probably derives from baraq which means lightening and is so called because of its speed. (p.
210. Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawaw. Vol I; Part II).
13
The word used in Arabic is Saara. The usage of the word suggests that the journey from Makka to al-
Aqs was not necessarily a direct one; rather the Prophet was taken to other places on the way. There are in
fact some narrations that suggest on the way to al-Aqs, the Prophet was taken to Madna Sharif and Mount
Moses in Sinai. (p. 358, al-Sharh al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. Abd Allh al-Harawi).
14
The description of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) performing Salh with the
prophets is from the narration of Ibn Masud. (Cited from p. 47, al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim
Mahmud).
15
Imm al-Nawawi writes that the milk symbolised Islam and Istiqma, or remaining steadfast. (p. 212
Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol I; Part II). In an addition mentioned by Imm al-Bukhr
(hadith no. 3182; Book of Prophets), the Prophet chose the milk, upon which Jibrl remarked, if you had
chosen the wine, your Ummah would have become astray.
16
These last comments (He is welcomed. And what a wonderful visit his is!) can be found in the narration
of Imm al-Bukhr in his Sahh. (Chapter the Beginning of Creation, Chapter, the Mentioning of Angels).

So it was opened for us, and there were Yahy and s, cousins of each other.
17
They both
welcomed me and prayed for my wellbeing.

Then I was taken on ascension to the third sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
replied: Muhammad. He was asked: and he has been sent? Jibrl replied: yes.

So it was opened for us, and there was Ysuf (peace be upon him). And he had been
given a portion of beauty. He welcomed me and prayed for my wellbeing.

Then I was taken on ascension to the fourth sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
replied: Muhammad. He was asked: and he has been sent? Jibrl replied: he has been
sent to the skies.

So it was opened for us, and I was there with Idrs. He welcomed me and prayed for my
wellbeing. Allh says: And We have raised him to a lofty place.
18

Then I was taken on ascension to the fifth sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
sent to the skies.

So it was opened for us, and there I was with Hrn. He welcomed me and prayed for my
wellbeing.

Then I was taken on ascension to the sixth sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
sent to the skies.

So it was opened for us, and there I was with Ms.
19
He welcomed me and prayed for
my wellbeing.
20

17
In a narration of al-Bukhr (Chapter the Beginning of Creation, Chapter, the Mentioning of Angels), the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) described both Isa and Musa (peace be upon them) in
detail. He said, On the night of my Ascent to the heaven, I saw Musa who was a tall brown curly-haired
man as he was one of the men of Shanawa tribe, and I saw Isa, a man of medium height and moderate
complexion inclined to the red and white colours of lank hair.
18
Srah Maryam, verse 57.
19
Imm Muslim narrates in his Sahh, from Anas, that the Prophet said: On the night I was taken on the
ascension, I passed by Musa, who was standing performing salh in his grave. (Cited in al-Isr wal-
Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (pp. 49-50).
20
In the narration of al-Bukhr, the following addition can be found: When I proceeded on, he [Musa]
started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said: O Lord! Followers of this youth who
was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers. (Book; the Beginning of
Creation; Chapter, the Mentioning of Angels).

Then I was taken on ascension to the seventh sky. So Jibrl opened [the skies] and he was
sent to the skies.

So it was opened for us, and there I was with Ibrhm.
21
And he was resting against the
al-Bayt al-Mamr. This is where seventy thousand angels enter every day, and never
return there again.
22

Then I went to the Sidra al-Muntah.
23
Its leaves were like the ears of elephants. And its
fruits resembled the clay jugs. No one from the creations of Allh is able to describe its
beauty. Then Allh inspired me [with wahy] whatever He inspired me with. And fifty
prayers were made obligatory upon me every day and night. I then descended until I
reached Ms. He asked: what has your Lord made obligatory upon your Ummah? I
said: fifty prayers each day and night. Ms said: return to your Lord. Ask for
concession for your Ummah. For verily your people cannot fulfil that. I tested Ban Isrl
[with the same].

So I returned to my Lord and I said: O Lord! Please reduce it for my Ummah. So five
were reduced for my people.

I then descended until I reached Ms and he asked: what did you do? I said: five were
reduced from my Ummah. He said: return to your Lord. Ask for concession for your
Ummah. For verily your people cannot fulfil that.

I continued to return between my Lord and Ms, and five were continuously reduced,
until Allh said:

O Muhammad! These are five prayers for every day and night. Each prayer
performed will be worth ten. And that is fifty prayers. So whoever intends a
righteous action but does not perform it, one unit of reward will be written for
him. If he does perform it, then ten units of reward will be written for him. And

21
In a narration recorded by Imm al-Tirmidhi, the details of the conversation between the Prophet and
Ibrahim (peace be upon them) is mentioned. Ibrahim said: O Muhmmad! Convey my salutations to your
Ummah. And inform them that Paradise is a beautiful land, with cold water...And that its cultivation is to
say Subhn Allh wa al-Hamdu Lillh wa L Ilha Illallhu wa Allhu Akbar, wa L Hawla wa L
Quwwata Ill billhil al-Aliyyi al-Azim. (Cited in al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (p. 52).
22
In other words, once an angel visits the al-Bayt al-Mamur, he is never given an opportunity to visit it
again. Every day, a new batch of angels visit it.
23
This is a tree in the seventh heaven. In the narration of al-Bukhr, (Book; the Beginning of Creation;
Chapter, the Mentioning of Angels), the following additions can be found; Then I was shown Sidra al-
Muntah and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (a town in Arabia) and its leaves
were like the ears of elephants. Four rivers originated from its roots, two of them were apparent and two of
them were hidden. I asked Jibrl about the two rivers and he said, the two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and
the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.
Imm al-Nawawi writes that the knowledge of angels stops at the Sidra al-Muntah, and only the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) was permitted to cross this point. (p. 214; Sahh Muslim bi
Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol I; Part II).

whoever intends a sin but does not perform it, then no sin will be written against
him. If he does perform it, [only] one sin will be written against him.

So I descended until I reached Ms and I told him. He said: return to your Lord. Ask
for concession for your Ummah. For verily your people cannot fulfil that.

[The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said]: I have returned to my
Lord [so many times] that I am ashamed.
24

The Next Day.

Imm Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrates in his Musnad
25
that the next day, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allh be upon him) felt that some people would not believe his
miraculous journey. Ab Jahl passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be
upon him) until he sat down next to him. He asked: is there something? The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) replied: yes. He then told him that he had
been taken on a night journey. Ab Jahl asked: to where? The Prophet said: to Bayt al-
Muqaddas. Ab Jahl asked: then you returned here in the morning in front of us? The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) replied: yes.

Ab Jahl then insisted that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)
inform the people of Quraysh exactly what he had just informed him. So, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) told them too that he had been taken on a
miraculous journey the night before. Most reacted in an astonished way. They then asked
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) to describe the Bayt al-Muqaddas
to them. Some Makkans had recently returned from there, and so they knew what the
mosque looked like. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) himself said
that when people of Quraysh asked this question, Allh placed an exact vision of the
mosque in front of his eyes, and thus he was able to describe the mosque to the Makkans
to the tiniest of details.
26
When the people heard the description, they said: As for the
description, by Allh! He is correct.

The infidels taunted Ab Bakr (may Allh be pleased with him) about the event. They
said that your companion thinks he went to Bayt al-Muqaddas last night, performed
Salh there, and then returned here to Makka in the morning. Ab Bakr did not hesitate.
Instead, he said to the Makkans:

By Allh! He informs me that revelation comes to him from the sky to the earth
during the day and night, and I believe this with conviction. This is more far-
fetched than believing in the story you find astonishing [i.e. the Night Journey].

24
Clearly, this highlights the importance of salh. The other fundamental pillars of Islam such as Hajj were
ordained to the Prophet when he was on earth. However, such was the significance of salh that Allh
deemed it imperative that the Prophet ascend to the heavens to receive this order.
25
Hadith no. 2680, The narrations of Ibn Abbs.
26
Sahh Muslim. Book of Faith; Chapter the mentioning of Isa and the Dajjal.


After this display of confidence, wholehearted belief and strength in religion, the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) gave Ab Bakr (may Allh be pleased with
him) the title of al-Siddq, the verifier of the truth.
27

___________________________

Appendix I.
Was the Isr & Mirj a bodily or spiritual journey?

The scholars of Islam classic and modern have long disputed the exact nature of the
Prophets journey to Jerusalem and the Heavens. Specifically, detailed discussions can be
found highlighting whether the Isr & Mirj took place with soul only, or with body and
soul.

Qd Iyd analysed the debate in great detail in his book al-Shif bi Tarf Huqq al-
Mustaf.
28
From his work, it is clear there are three camps on this specific issue;

Camp One.
The Isr was with soul only, and that the entire journey was a dream.

However, the advocates of this camp accept that the dreams of prophets are truthful and
are part of revelation (wahy).

Their evidence.

Muwiya (may Allh be pleased with him) was asked about the night of Isr & Mirj,
and he replied that it was a beautiful dream (al-ruy al-sliha).
29

Muhammad ibn Ishq too accepts this position. As evidence, he cites the verse from the
Holy Qurn: And We did not make the vision that we showed you except as a test for
the people (Isr; 60). The word in the verse used is ruy, which means dream in
Arabic. Therefore, it seems the Qurn asserts that the journey in its entirety was a dream.

isha (may Allh be pleased with her) reports: I did not miss (m faqadtu) the body
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him).
30
This suggests the Prophet
in body remained in Makka throughout the night.

27
pp. 58-59. al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud.
28
pp. 106-124. al-Shif bi Tarif Huquq al-Mustaf. Allma Qd Abu al-Fadl Iyd ibn Musa (d. 544 A.H.
/1149 C.E.).
29
p. 144. Sharh al-Aqid al-Nasfiyya. Allma Sad al-Din al-Taftazani.
30
p. 144. Ibid.


Moreover, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) himself said: whilst
I was sleeping When Anas (may Allh be pleased with him) related the story of the
Night Journey, he began with the words whilst he was sleeping in the Sacred
Mosque These two reports implicitly suggest that all the occurrences of that night
took place whilst he was asleep.
31
Also, a narration from Anas (may Allh be pleased
with me) concludes with the words: then I woke up in the Sacred Mosque [in Makka].
Again, this implicitly implies the entire journey was a dream.

Camp Two
The Isr (the Night Journey from Makka to Jerusalem) was performed with body
and soul, whilst the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) was awake.
Thereafter, the journey to the skies (Mirj) was performed with soul only.

Their evidence.

Their proof is the verse from the Qurn in which Allh Almighty proclaims:

Most pure is the One who took His blessed servant on the Night Journey from the
Sacred Mosque to the Furthest Mosque (al-Isr; 1).

This verse indicates that the astonishing and miraculous part of the journey was up to
Furthest Mosque (Masjid Aqs) only; there is no mention in the verse of the upward
journey to the heavens.
32

Camp Three (The Correct and Majority Opinion).
The Isr & Mirj occurred with body and soul, whilst the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) was awake.

This Qd Iyd affirms is the truthful position and the opinion of the majority of the
classical scholars.
33
Allma Sad al-Dn al-Taftazn adds that the one who denies its
occurrence is an innovator (mubtadi).
34

31
p. 112. al-Shifa bi Tarif Huquq al-Mustafa. Allma Qd Abu al-Fadl Iyd ibn Musa (d. 544 A.H. /1149
C.E.).
32
p. 113. Ibid.
33
p. 113. Ibid. See also, p. 356. al-Sharh al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirat al-Mustaqm and p. 209. Sahh
Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol I; Part II.
34


Our evidence.

a. Most Companions, Successors (Tabin) and respected scholars express no doubt
whatsoever in the fact that the Isr & Mirj occurred with body and soul. Their opinion
itself is sufficient to dispel any doubts.

Proponents of this truthful position include Ibn Abbs, Jbir, Huzayfa, Umar, Ibn
Masd, Ab Hurayra, Sad ibn Jubayr, Malik ibn Sasata, Ab Habba al-Badar,
Dhahak, Qatda, Ibn al-Musayyab, Ibn Shihb, Ibn Zayd, al-Hasan, Ibrhm, Masrq,
Mujhid, Ikrama, Ibn Jurayj, al-Tabar, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (may Allh be pleased with
them all), as well as the majority of the fuqah (Jurists), hadth scholars, kalm scholars
and Qurn commentators.

b. Qd Iyd writes that we can only interpret the event differently when the possibility of
the event is questionable. He continues to affirm that there is no impossible element in
the Isr whilst awake and with body.
35
This is because the Being behind the Isr &
Mirj was Allh Almighty Himself; nothing is beyond His ability. In all of the hadth
reports on the journey, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said
when I was taken on the night journey; nowhere do we find a report in which he said
when I went on the night journey. In other words, the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allh be upon him) ascribed the occurrences to Allh Almighty. It was He who made the
journey possible. If people doubt the events on the basis of its physical impossibility,
then they are in essence questioning what Allh can and cannot do.

c. Qd Iyd adds that if the journey had occurred whilst the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allh be upon him) was asleep, then:
(i) The verse in the Qurn
36
would certainly have mentioned that it occurred with just
his soul.
(ii) The journey would not have been categorised as a sign (yah) or a miracle (mujiza).
(iii) The infidels would not have considered the journey as far-fetched and would not
have mocked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him).
(iv) Some weak-Muslims would not have become apostates (non-believers) upon hearing
the story the next day.
37

(v) Ab Bakr (may Allh be pleased with him) was given the title of al-Siddq (most
truthful/a verifier of the truth) by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)
just after the Isr & Mirj. This was because he believed the occurrences without
hesitation. This too indicates that the journey must have been miraculous.

35
p. 113. al-Shif bi Tarif Huquq al-Mustaf. Allma Qd Abu al-Fadl Iyd ibn Musa (d. 544 A.H. /1149
C.E.).
36
Srah al-Isr; verse 1.
37
p. 113. Ibid. See also al-Isr wa al-Miraj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. and p. 144-145, Sharh al-Aqid
al-Nasfiyya. Allma Sad al-Din al-Taftazani.

d. Professor Abd al-Halm Mahmd, who was the former Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar
University, Cairo, writes that people often have the most far-fetched and astonishing
dreams, travelling to far-off places and meeting people that they have never met before.
Seldom do people consider such dreams miraculous, or deny the possibility of such
visions occurring. The reaction of the infidels of Makka, as well as the Muslims, clearly
suggest that the events of Isr & Mirj could not have been a dream. Otherwise, the
reaction would have certainly been less controversial.
38

e. The verse from Srah al-Isr mentions the verb asr. In Arabic, this verb (meaning to
travel by night) is not used to mean a journey performed whilst asleep. Rather, it is used
to denote an actual, physical journey.
39

f. The word abd (servant) that features in the verse (Srah al-Isr; 1) is only used to
describe a person with body and soul. It cannot be used in the Arabic language to denote
a person with soul only.

g. Those who deny that Isr & Mirj took place with body and soul on the sole basis that
it is scientifically impossible have simply misunderstood what a mujiza (miracle) is. As
Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khn rightly points out, a miracle is not considered as such until it
breaks the law of nature.
40
The parting of the sea by Ms (peace be upon him) with the
permission of Allh was miraculous precisely because it contravened the laws of
nature. In short, if a Muslim believes that Allh Almighty is capable of all things, then
denying the Isr & Mirj on the basis of its physical impossibility should be completely
avoided.

The answers to the evidence put forward by the first camp.

-In response to the verse And We did not make the vision that we showed you
except as a test for the people.

a. Pr Muhammad Karam Shh al-Azhar writes that many Qurn commentators do not
believe that this particular verse actually refers to the night of Isr & Mirj.
41
It could in
fact be referring to the dream the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) had
prior to the Conquest of Makka.
Even if we do assume that this verse is referring to the Night Journey, then there is still
ample evidence to clearly indicate that it was not a dream, but a real occurrence;

b. Imm al-Bukhr records a hadth from Ibn Abbs (may Allh be pleased with him)
who said in the commentary of the verse: And We did not make the vision that we

38
pp. 41-42. al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud.
39
C.E.).
40
41
p. 626, vol. II. Ibid.

showed you except as a test for the people that this was a vision of sight [i.e. not a
dream] that was shown to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) on the
night of the Ascension.
42

The verse except as a test for the people (illa fitna li al-Ns) too supports the view that
the journey occurred whilst the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) was
awake. Qd Iyd writes a dream (whilst asleep) is not a test for the people, since no
one denies the occurrences of a dream.
43

In response to the opinion of isha and Muwiya (may Allh be pleased with
them)

a. As for the opinion of isha (may Allh be pleased with her), she was not married to
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) at the time. In fact, she may not
have been born at the time of the Night Journey, (as there are minor disputes as to which
year the Isr & Mirj took place). Hence, she did not witness this night and must have
heard the event from someone else. For this reason, preference is given to the other
Companions, of which most assert the Isr & Mirj took place with body and soul. Also,
isha never slept with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) until
Madna, and the Isr & Mirj happened when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh
be upon him) was in Makka.
44

There is further evidence offered by Allma Sad al-Dn al-Taftazn. He writes that
ishas said the body of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) did not
part from her on the night of Ascension. This could possible mean that the body of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) did not part from his soul on this
night. In other words, she meant that the body and soul remained together throughout the
journey, thus supporting the view that the journey was not a dream.
45

b. As for the opinion of Muwiya (may Allh be pleased with him), he was not a Muslim
at the time.
46

In response to the narrations of Anas (may Allh be pleased with him).

a. In response to the Hadith recorded by Anas in which the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allh be upon him) was reported to have said (at the end of the journey): then I woke
up in the Sacred Mosque, which seemingly suggests that the events of the night was a
dream, the scholars write that this does still not explicitly suggest that the entire journey
was a dream. Rather, it indicates that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon
him) was asleep or almost asleep when the angel approached him in the Sacred Mosque

42
Sahh al-Bukhr, Book of Merits, Chapter; the Mirj, hadith no. 3599.
43
C.E.).
44
p.117. Ibid.
45
p. 144, Sharh al-Aqid al-Nasfiyya. Allma Sad al-Din al-Taftazani.
46

in Makka. It cannot be deduced from this that the entire events of the night was a dream.
47

To conclude, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the Isr & Mirj was merely a
spiritual journey. The Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon
him) were clearly in the best position to know the exact nature of the journey, and the
majority express no doubt in the fact it was a bodily occurrence.

Even without the evidence from the Qurn and ahdth, the reaction from the people of
Makka after the Isr & Mirj is sufficient to support the fact that the journey was with
body and soul. If it was merely a spiritual journey, why did some Muslims become
apostates? If it was just a dream, why did the infidels challenge the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) to describe Jerusalem?

Once we wholly acknowledge Allh Almighty as the force behind the Isr & Mirj, then
a true Muslim does not question the event at all. Nothing is beyond His capabilities.

Appendix II.
Did the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) see his Lord
on the night of Isr & Mirj?

Closely related to the Isr journey is the issue as to whether the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Allh Almighty on this special night. Allh says in
the Qurn:

So Allh revealed to His beloved servant what He revealed. The heart lied not in
what the Prophets eye saw. Do you then dispute with him about what he saw?

This issue has been disputed since the time of the Companions (may Allh be pleased
with them). isha, for example, was of the opinion that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allh be upon him) did not see his Lord. Ibn Abbs, on the other hand, was adamant
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) was bestowed with this
honour on the night of Isr & Mirj.

47
p. 210. Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawaw. Vol II; Part I.

In this section, the two sides of the argument will be explored and analysed:

Opinion One;
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) did not see his Lord.

In the commentary of the verses Till there was a distance of two-bow lengths or even
less, The heart lied not in what the Prophets eye saw and Certainly he saw the great
signs of his Lord Ibn Masd (may Allh be pleased with him) said that all refer to when
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Jibrl (peace be upon him) in
his original, created form with six-hundred wings. In other words, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) did not see Allh on this night, but Jibrl in his original
form for the first time.
48

Imm Muslim narrates from Masrq, who said:

Once I was in the presence of isha (may Allh be pleased with her) when I
asked her if the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Allh.
She replied: there are three comments which if are spoken constitute a great
lie against Allh. I asked: what are they? She replied: whoever assumes that
Muhammad saw his Lord, then he has invented a lie against Allh.
I was lying down, and sat up [due to astonishment] and said to her: O Mother of
the Faithful! Look at me and do not be haste! Did not Allh say in the Qurn
And verily he saw him at the clear horizon and And indeed he saw that splendid
vision for the second time? She replied: I was the first from this Ummah to ask
the Prophet about this. He said: It is merely [referring to] Jibrl (peace be upon
him). I did not see him in his original form except twice isha (may Allh be
pleased with her) then said to Masruq: did not Allh say in the Qurn, No vision
can grasp Him; But His grasp is over all vision; And He is Subtle, Well-
Aware
49

Opinion Two;
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) did see his Lord.

Imm Ahmad narrates from Ibn Abbs (may Allh be pleased with him), that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said; I saw my Lord, most Powerful
and Grand.
50

This hadth is in essence sufficient on the issue; the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh
be upon him) himself clearly stated here that he did see his Lord.

Ibn Abbs (may Allh be pleased with him) is considered the most authoritative
Companion on the commentary of the Qurn. Regarding the verse The Prophets eye did

48
pp. 527-8. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
49
p. 8. Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. (Book of Iman; Chapter, the proving of the vision of
Allh). Vol II; Part I. See also p. 531, Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
50
Cited in al-Isr wa al-Miraj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (p. 49).

not wander, nor it trespassed the limit of respect. Certainly he saw the great signs of his
Lord from Srah al-Najm, Ibn Abbs said: The Prophet saw Allh with his heart twice.
51

Al-Tabarn writes in al-Awsat with an authentic chain from Ibn Abbs (may Allh be
pleased with him) that verily Muhammad saw his Lord twice; once with his eyes and
once with his heart.
52

Imm al-Nas records a hadth with a sound chain from Ikrama that Ibn Abbs said:

Are you surprised that friendship was granted to Ibrahim, direct dialogue to Ms
and vision to the Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)?
53

Imm Abd al-Razzq narrated from Mamar that al-Hasan al-Basr would take an oath
upon insisting that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw his Lord.
54

At believes that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw him with
his heart.
55

Ibn Khuzayma narrates with a strong chain that Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allh be upon him) saw his Lord.
56

In response to the saying of isha (may Allh be pleased with her), the scholars have
offered numerous answers:

-Firstly, al-Marz once asked Imm Ahmad ibn Hanbal: the people say that isha said
that whoever assumes Muhammad saw his Lord has invented a lie against Allh. How do
you respond to this? He replied: I respond with the saying of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) that I saw my Lord. And the saying of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) is stronger than her opinion.
57

On another occasion, Imm Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked if the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) saw his Lord. He said: he saw him, he saw him until he
became breathless.
58

The verse No vision can grasp Him; But His grasp is over all vision; And He is Subtle,
Well-Aware seemingly suggests that no one can see Allh. However, Qd Iyd

51
Cited in Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (p. 532) (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
52
Cited in al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (p. 48). See also, p. 362, al-Sharh al-Qawm f
Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. Abd Allh al-Harawi.
53
Cited in Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (p. 533) (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
54
p. 534. Ibid.
55
p. 118. Al-Shif bi Tarif Huquq al-Mustaf. Allma Qd Abu al-Fadl Iyd ibn Musa (d. 544 A.H. /1149
C.E.).
56
Cited in al-Sharh al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. (p. 362) Abd Allh al-Harawi.
57
p. 534-5. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (p. 532) (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
58
p. 537. Ibid.

writes that it in theory, it must be possible to see Allh. This is because Ms asked Allh
to honour him with His vision.
59
And prophets do not ask Allh for matters that are
impossible.
60

-Secondly, Ibn Hajar answers the claim that isha (may Allh be pleased with her)
asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) about the meaning of the
verse, upon which he asserted that he saw Jibrl. He writes that isha asked about the
verse And surely he saw him on the bright horizon. This verse is undoubtedly referring
to the Prophets (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) vision of Jibrl. This is
because this actual verse is from Srah al-Takwr, which does refer to Jibrl. Allh says in
the Qurn:

This [Qurn] is the word (brought) by an honoured Messenger who is powerful
and dignified with the Lord of the Mighty Throne There he is the obeyed one
(of the angels) and trustworthy. And this companion of yours is not mad. And
surely he saw the messenger on the bright horizon.
61

This refers to when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Jibrl in
his original form, with six-hundred wings on the bright horizon. But the verse in Srah
al-Najm refers to the highest horizon, which is beyond the Sidra al-Muntah. isha
asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) about Srah al-Takwr, but
that does not refer to the Isr. It is Srah al-Najm that refers to the Isr.

Imm al-Nawaw writes after a detailed discussion on the topic:

To conclude, the preferred opinion according to the majority of the scholars is that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) did see his Lord on the
night of Isrit is not desirable to doubt this.
62

________________________

Once it has been established that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)
did see his Lord on the night of Isr, there is a small difference of opinion as to whether
he saw Him with his physical eyes, or the eyes of the heart.

Allma Sad al-Dn al-Taftazn writes that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh
be upon him) saw his Lord with his heart rather than with his eyes.
63

59
Srah al-Araf; verse 143.
60
C.E.). See also, p. 4. Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol II; Part I.
61
Srah al-Takwir; verses 19-23.
62
p. 536. Zi al-Nab. Pir Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari. (p. 532) (vol. II; 4
th
ed.).
63

Al-Samarkand narrates from Muhammad ibn Kab and Rab ibn Anas that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) was asked did you see your Lord? He
replied, I saw Him with my heart, and I did not see him with my eyes.
64

Imm al-Nawaw writes that Anas, Ikrama, al-Hasan and al-Rab were all of the opinion
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Allh with his physical
eyes.
65

Shaykh al-Haraw summarises the debate on the topic when he writes:

[On the night of Isr], Allh removed the veil from the heart of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allh be upon him), after which he could see his Lord with the
eyes of his heart. In other words, Allh granted him the strength of vision to see
Him with his heart. So, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him)
saw Him with his heart and not with his eyes, because Allh cannot be seen in this
world with the [physical] eye. If anyone could, then it certainly would have been
the Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him). This is why the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said: Verily you will not see
your Lord until you die (Sahh Muslim), and why Allh said: You can never see
Me to Ms (peace be upon him).
66
It has been reported that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allh be upon him) was asked whether he saw Allh on the night
on Isr, to which he responded, Subhn Allh! Subhn Allh! I saw Him with my
heart, and I did not seem Him with my eyes. But this hadth is weak and has not
been proven authentic. Imm Mlik (may Allh be pleased with him) said: The
Immortal cannot be seen by the eyes of a mortal. The Immortal can only be seen
in the hereafter with eyes of immortality. [In other words, Muslims when they
become immortal in Paradise, will only then see the Ever-Living Allh].
As for the opinion of some [scholars of the] Ahl al-Sunna that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Allh with his physical eyes on the
Night of Isr, this is a weak opinion. [However] whoever believes in this opinion
is not a heretic (bidat) nor a fsiq because this has also been the opinion of some
of the pious predecessorsthe preferred opinion is that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) saw Allh with his heart and not with his
physical eyes.
67

To conclude, opinions are divided as to exactly how the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allh be upon him) saw Allh. But this should not distract anyone from the majority
opinion that he did see his Lord. In fact, if it is assumed that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) saw him with the vision of his heart, this proves to be
more miraculous and unique. This is because anyone can see with their physical eyes, but
Allh granted His beloved Messenger the ability to see with his heart.

64
p. 118, al-Shif bi Tarif Huquq al-Mustaf. Allma Qd Abu al-Fadl Iyd ibn Musa (d. 544 A.H. /1149
C.E.).
65
p. 6, Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawawi. Vol II; Part I.
66
Srah al-Araf: 143.
67
p. 363. al-Sharh al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. Abd Allh al-Harawi.

Appendix III.
The sustained life of Prophets after death.

Imm Muslim narrates from Anas ibn Malik (may Allh be pleased with him) that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said:

I passed by Ms on the night I was taken on the night journeyand he was
standing in his grave performing salh.
68

This is just one hadth from the countless ahdth on the topic that clearly indicate that
the bodies of prophets are not consumed by the earth after death. Rather, Allh grants his
prophets life in the grave. This is a fact which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh
be upon him) himself asserted.

Imm al-Nas narrates from Aws ibn Aws (may Allh be pleased with him) that the

The best of your days is the day of Friday. On this day dam was created and on
this day he diedso send salh upon me as much as possible on this day. For
verily your salh is presented to me. The companions asked: And how will our
salutations be presented to you when you pass away? The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) said: Verily Allh has forbidden the earth to
consume the bodies of the prophets.
69

Imm Bayhaq narrates from Ab Amma who said that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allh be upon him) said:

Send salh upon me excessively upon the day of Friday. The salhs of my
Ummah are presented to me every Friday. So whoever sends salh upon me most
will be closest to me in rank.
70

Moreover, there is no difference whether the person sending the salh is next to the
resting place of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him), or far away.
Imm al-Bukhr writes in his Tarkh from the narration of Ammr, who said that the

Verily Allh has an angel who can hear the voices of the creation, and he stands at
my grave. Thus, there is no one who sends salh upon me except it reaches me.
71

In a similar narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) said:

68
Cited in al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (pp. 49-50).
69
Sunan al-Nasi. Hadith no. 1357. Book of Juma; Chapter; Sending salh upon the Prophet Excessively.
70
Cited in al-Isr wal-Mirj, Dr. Abd al-Halim Mahmud. (p. 87).
71
p. 87, Ibid.

Indeed Allh has angels who roam the earth, [whose task is to] convey the
salutations of my Ummah to me.
72

Imm al-Qushayr adds that there is only purpose behind conveying salm if the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) is alive.
73

Imm al-Qurtub summarises the belief that prophets are alive when he writes,

Death (al-mawt) does not mean mere nothingness. Rather, it means the
transferral from one state to another. This is proven by the fact that the martyrs
after their death are alive, are given sustenance, are happy and give glad tidings to
others [as mentioned in the Qurn]. This [type of life] is of resemblance to
people who are alive in this world. When it is established that martyrs are alive
after death, then prophets are most certainly alive. And indeed it is proven
conclusively that the earth does not consume the bodies of prophets, and that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allh be upon him) met the [previous] prophets
on the Night of Isr in Bayt al-Muqaddas and in the skies, and that he saw Ms
(peace be upon him) performing salh in his grave and offered his salutations to
the Ummah, to mention just a few sources of evidence. The death of prophets is
correct only in the sense they are hidden from our sights. Otherwise, they are
undoubtedly alive. Rather like the angels; for indeed they are present though no
one from us can see them, except those who have been privileged by Allh from
his awliy.
74

72
p. 88, Ibid.
73
p. 88, Ibid.
74
p. 91, Ibid.

Bibliography.

The Holy Qurn.

Al-Isr wal-Mirj. Dr. Abd al-Halm Mahmd. Dr al-Marif, Cairo, Egypt, 9
th

edition, n.d. on publication.

Jaml al-Qurn. Professor Ans Ahmed Sheikh. Zi al-Qurn Publications, Lahore,
Pakistan, 2000.

Sahh Muslim bi Sharh al-Imm al-Nawaw. (Vol I/II; Part II/I). Dr al-Fikr, Beirut. n.d.
on publication.

Sharh al-Aqid al-Nasfiyya. Allma Sad al-Dn al-Taftazn. Qadm Kutub Khana,
Karachi, Pakistan, n.d. on publication.

al-Sharh al-Qawm f Hill Alfz al-Sirt al-Mustaqm. Abd Allh al-Haraw. Dr al-
Masmi, Beirut, Lebanon, 2004.

al-Shif bi Tarf Huqq al-Mustaf. Allma Qd Ab al-Fadhl Iyd ibn Ms (d. 544
A.H. /1149 C.E.). Dr Ibn Hazm Publications, Beirut, 2002.

Zi al-Nab. Pr Muhammad Karam Shh al-Azhar. (vol. II; 4
th
ed.) Zi al-Qurn
Publications, Lahore, 1420 A.H.

Zi al-Qurn. Pr Muhammad Karam Shh al-Azhar. Zi al-Qurn Publications,
Lahore, 1402 A.H.


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What was the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) facing before the Night Journey?

What happened during the Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) journey to Jerusalem?

The Night of Isra and Miraj Hafiz Ather Hussain al-Azhari

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