Al-Isra wal-Mi‘raj: The Miraculous Night Journey

Question

Are Al-Isra’ and Al-Miʿraj real events, or just a dream/myth?

Bottom Line

It was a real, physical journey, a miracle that proved the truth of the Prophet ﷺ.

Quick Answer

The Prophet ﷺ was taken by night from Makkah to Jerusalem, then ascended through the heavens. He met prophets, saw the greatest signs of Allah, and received the command of five daily prayers. This happened while awake, body and soul, not as a dream.

Key Takeaways

• Isra’ and Miʿraj were real, physical events, not just dreams or visions.
• The five daily prayers were made obligatory during this journey.
• Quraysh’s rejection proves the event was physical, not just spiritual.
• Major scholars across centuries affirm its reality (Ibn Kathir, At-Tahawi, Ibn Abi’l-ʿIzz, al-Hakami).

Detailed Answer

Al-Isra’ and Al-Miʿraj are among the greatest signs of Allah. The Qur’an itself affirms:

“Glorified be He Who took His slave by night from Al-Masjid al-Haram to Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, the surroundings of which We have blessed, so that We might show him of Our signs.” Qur’an 17:1

Scholarly Discussion

Some early reports suggested it was only spiritual (ʿAishah RA, Muʿawiyah RA, al-Hasan al-Basri). But they never said it was “just a dream.” They meant the soul was taken without the body, a view rejected by most scholars.

The majority (Ibn Kathir, At-Tahawi, Ibn Abi’l-ʿIzz, al-Hakami, Ibn Dihyah) affirm that the Prophet ﷺ was taken physically, body and soul, while awake. Ibn Kathir noted that Quraysh’s mockery and the apostasy of some Muslims would make no sense if it had only been a dream.

Evidence for Physical Reality

• The Qur’an uses the word “slave,” which means both body and soul.
• Tasbih (Subhan Allah) in Qur’an 17:1 shows the magnitude of the miracle — if it were a dream, it would not warrant such exaltation.
• He rode al-Buraq, which only makes sense with a physical body, not the soul.
• The Prophet ﷺ led all prophets in prayer at al-Aqsa, affirming physical presence.

Timeline of Events

• Makkah → Jerusalem: The Prophet ﷺ rode al-Buraq with Jibril (AS), tied it at al-Aqsa, and led the prophets in prayer.
• Ascension through the heavens: He met Adam, Isa, Yahya, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa, and Ibrahim (peace be upon them).
• Sidrat al-Muntaha: He was shown signs of Allah’s greatness beyond all created realms.
• Divine Command: Allah enjoined fifty prayers, which were reduced to five, yet rewarded as fifty.

Why Quraysh Rejected It

Quraysh mocked: “It takes a month to travel to Jerusalem, but Muhammad claims he went and returned in a night!” This confirms he presented it as a physical journey.

Shaykh al-Hakami noted: If it were just a dream, Quraysh would not have mocked him — everyone sees faraway places in dreams without issue.

Faith and Certainty

When Quraysh mocked, Abu Bakr (RA) said: “If he said it, then it is true.” His certainty earned him the title As-Siddiq. This teaches that revelation is the foundation of faith.

Dangers of Doubt

Some today cast doubt using verses out of context. But Allah recorded the disbelievers’ demands for impossible signs (Qur’an 17:93). The Prophet ﷺ was sent with guidance, not to entertain demands. Doubt must be resisted, as it can settle in the heart more easily than it can be removed.

What This Means for You

Isra’ and Miʿraj affirm the truth of revelation, the honor of the Prophet ﷺ, and Allah’s limitless power. Most importantly, they highlight the central role of salah as the Prophet’s greatest gift to his ummah.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Isra 17:1: The Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem.
2. Al-Isra 17:60: The vision shown to the Prophet ﷺ.
3. An-Najm 53:11-18: The Miʿraj and vision at Sidrat al-Muntaha.

Hadith

4. Sahih al-Bukhari 3887: Detailed hadith on Isra’ and Miʿraj.
5. Sahih Muslim 162: Revelation of fifty prayers reduced to five.
6. Sahih al-Bukhari 2885: Ibn ʿAbbas on the vision of Isra’ and the tree of Zaqqum.

Secondary Sources

7. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir 3/33: Majority view affirming the physical event.
8. Ibn Abi’l-ʿIzz, Sharh al-Tahawiyyah: Commentary affirming body and soul journey.
9. Shaykh Hafiz al-Hakami, Maʿarij al-Qabul: On Quraysh’s rejection, proving it was physical.
10. At-Tahawi, Al-ʿAqidah: Statement affirming the Prophet’s Miʿraj was real and physical.
11. Abul-Khattab Ibn Dihyah, At-Tanwir fi Mawlid as-Siraj al-Munir: Mutawatir reports confirming Isra’ and Miʿraj.
12. At-Tahrir wa’t-Tanwir (15/210-211): Ibn ʿAshur’s commentary on Qur’an 17:93.