The Garden of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

26 Rajab 1447/16 January 2026

All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.

The month of Rajab is known as the month in which the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ was honored by Allah with what is known as Al-Isra wal Miraj (The Ascension and Night Journey). The journey of Al-Isra wal Miraj was a not on a spiritual journey, it was a physical journey.

According to majority of reports, Al Isra wal Miraj took place in what is known as ‘The year of Sorrow/Sadness’, this is the year in which the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ lost his beloved wife, Khadija (R.A) and his uncle Abu Talib, both who were his closest supporters.

It was during these trying times when Allah ﷻ sent angel Jibraeel (A.S) to Nabi Muhammed ﷺ and took him on the most glorious journey ever to be experienced. Jibraeel (A.S) appeared with the Buraq (best described as being between a mule and a donkey) which travelled at the speed of light, such that it’s hooves would touch where it’s eyes gazed. Al-Isra refers to the part of the journey between Makkah al Mukarramah and Jerusalem. Allah informs us of this journey in Surah Al-Isra, verse 1:

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ

“Glory be to the One Who took His servant ‘Muḥammed’ by night from the Sacred Masjid (Masjidul Haram) to the Farthest Masjid (Masjidul Aqsa) whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”

In the above verse, we take note that Allah used the word ‘laylan’ instead of ‘laylatan’. Some scholars have mentioned the wisdom of Allah using the word ‘laylan’ is that it refers to a portion of the night and not the entire night.

The second part of the journey is referred to as ‘Miraj- The Ascension’. This where Nabi ﷺ, accompanied by Jibraeel (A.S) ascended from Masjidul Aqsa to the heavens whereby he was introduced to previous Ambiya as he ascended including Adam (A.S), Isa (A.S), Yahya (A.S), Yusuf (A.S), Idris (A.S), Harun (A.S), Musa (A.S) and Ibrahim (A.S). When he reached the 7th heaven, Nabi ﷺ saw Al-Baytil-Ma’mur, a building which is identical to the Ka’bah and is situated directly above/over the Ka’bah in Makkah. Nabi ﷺ also witnessed the glories of paradise and he was shown the torment of the hellfire.

Thereafter Nabi Muhammed ﷺ ascended to the Sidratul Muntaha, the boundary to which no one could cross, not even Jibraeel (A.S). This is where Nabi ﷺ received gifts of Mercy which was unknown to nations which came before. The gifts received were the gift of Salah (Prayer), forgiveness from Allah and the last 2 verses of Surah Baqarah.

Anas ibn Malik (R.A) reported:

فُرِضَتْ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِهِ الصَّلَوَاتُ خَمْسِينَ ثُمَّ نُقِصَتْ حَتَّى جُعِلَتْ خَمْسًا ثُمَّ نُودِيَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّهُ لَا يُبَدَّلُ الْقَوْلُ لَدَيَّ وَإِنَّ لَكَ بِهَذِهِ الْخَمْسِ خَمْسِينَ

Fifty prayers were obligated upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he was taken on his night journey. Then, it was reduced until it was set at five and an announcement was made, “O Muhammad, My word is never changed, so these five prayers will be counted as fifty.” – Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 213

When Nabi ﷺ informed the people of Makkah what had occurred, no one besides his closest companion Abu Bakr (R.A) believed in what he ﷺ had mentioned. When questioned, Nabi ﷺ was able to recall and recount the details of this journey including the places, the buildings and even the caravan which was on its way from Jerusalem with absolute accuracy.

We find that Surah Najm (verse 1-19) gives us insight into the events of Miraj. Allah first addresses the fact that Nabi Muhammed ﷺ does not speak from his own inclination, and he witnessed the greatest signs of Allah on this journey and that the Prophet ﷺ heart was so strong and firm that it could bear all that it witnessed so how can they deny what he ﷺ saw?

May Allah ﷻ accept our efforts from us and grant us understanding In Sha Allah!