In the Quran, God talks about Al-Isra’:
Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque… (Al-Israa’17:1)
Al-Isra’ is an important revelation because the journey across from one iconic Masjid to another iconic Masjid was an impossible feat for any person to experience; and only those who had faith in God would be able to reflect on such a journey.
The Ascension to Heaven
The Prophet ascended to the second level of heaven, meeting with Yahya son of Zachariah and Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon them all).
Then came Al-Mi’raj, the Prophet (peace be upon him) ascended to the heavens – the Ascension – as we are told, followed the Prophet to the first level of Heaven. This is where he met Adam (peace be upon him) in his celestial form. The Prophets exchanged greetings and the first man and first Prophet known to mankind testified that Muhammad was the Prophet of God.
The Prophet ascended to the second level of heaven, meeting with Yahya son of Zachariah and Jesus son of Mary. They greeted each other, and then the cousins again testified to Muhammad’s Prophethood.
The same exchanges took place on the third and fourth levels of heaven with Prophet Joseph and Prophet Idris (peace be upon them) respectively. Prophet Harun made his testimony when met at the fifth level of heaven.
At the sixth level of heaven, Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) greeted Prophet Muhammad, gave his declaration of faith and wept. “The reason for my tears is that a youth was commissioned as a Prophet after me, but his followers will enter heaven in greater numbers than mine.”
Needless to say, this wasn’t the only interaction with Moses as the Apostle of God would meet him again during his descent.
The Utmost End
At the seventh level of heaven, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) was resting against Al-Bait Al-Ma`mur, a celestial house of worship, which seventy thousand different angels circumambulate daily. The Prophets exchanged greetings and Abraham gave his testimony of faith.
Prophet Muhammad was then led to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, a tree of Paradise, with a shade so far for the eye to see and with beauty beyond description. The tree is also known as the Lote tree or the Lote tree of the Uttermost End. This was the summit of the Ascension:
Near the Lote tree beyond which none may pass: Near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! (An-Najm 53: 14-8)
The Lote tree marks the roots of God’s Throne and marks the end of the knowledge of every knower. The Lote tree marked the boundary where no soul had passed before. It was there that God prescribed daily prayers for Muslim believers and Prophet Muhammad, after a meeting of such proximity descended through the layers of heaven.
He was stopped by Moses who was aghast at the number of prescribed daily prayers. He ushered the Prophet Muhammad to negotiate to lessen the burden. In some narrations, Prophet Muhammad made a few trips until the prescribed prayer was allocated at fife daily prayers, and even so Moses was convinced that such a heavy burden would deter his followers from the faith.
But the Prophet felt ashamed when the Lord stopped at five, thus the prescribed prayers for Muslims until this very day is five prayers as ordained by God.
It was time for descent and nearly dawn. Jibreel, Buraq and the Prophet descended to Jerusalem and made their way back to Makkah. As they crossed the sands, they overtook caravans on the way to the city.
Back in Makkah
To those who challenged him, the Prophet described Al-Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem with such detail that it silenced them.
The Prophet alighted at the Ka`bah and made his way back to Umm Hani’s home. “O Umm Hani, I prayed with you the last evening prayer. Then I went to Jerusalem and prayed there; and now I pray with you in the morning here.”
She grabbed him by his cloak: “Prophet of Allah,” she pleaded, believing every word of her cousin. “Tell not the people this, for they will give thee the lie and insult thee!” But he left anyway to spread the message of Islam.
To those who challenged him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) described Al-Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem with such detail that it silenced them. To those who tested him even more, he mentioned South-bound caravans that were in route to Makkah – the number of them, the goods they carried, their conditions and their timely arrival.
For some, it was too much to bear, and they began to believe. For others, they continued in their sordid ways. And it made sense for the Prophet to only reveal Al-Israa to those who had yet to believe as Al-Mi’raj would have been beyond their comprehension. It was later that Jibreel descended again to teach the Prophet the five daily prayers.
A Test of Faith
For the believers, Al-Mi’raj, the Ascension represents a host of elements to the faith. The Ascent to heaven on its own is a feat to be reckoned with, the Prophet traveling with a flying creature and an Angel. The Prophet nearing to the boundaries of knowledge at the Lote tree, venturing closer to God than no one has ever been before.
Testimonies of faith by previous Prophets after praying with them. And lest we forget, the prescription of our daily prayers – the prayers that we perform daily – they were all prescribed during this Holy Journey.
Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj were said to have happened towards the end of Rajab, just before the month of Sha’ban; but it also took place after the socio-economic ban upon Muslims had just been lifted, the loss of great companions like Khadijah and Abu Talib, and the most bitter day of the Prophet’s life- the day of At-Ta’if.
However Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj opened up opportunities for Islam to spread. Doors opened up in Madinah, and a massive emigration took place, ending with the Prophet settling down in Madinah and establishing the first civilization known to mankind.
Those stories alone are enough for believers to reflect on the plight of the Islamic faith; but Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj divided those who believed in the ultimate truth from those who wished to stay in their ways.
And it is a turning point for all believers, to remember the Majesty of God and Jannah (paradise); to remember that we know not what God knows and to adhere to our daily prayers, for us to attain Jannah and live as close as possible to the Prophets of God, with the same unshakeable faith.
(From Discovering Islam’s archive.)
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