Ahmed elzahrani

The tenth year of the Prophetic mission was a period filled with sorrow and hardship, and it
was therefore called the “Year of Sorrow.” In that year, the Prophet ﷺ lost his uncle Abu Talib, who had been his main protector and supporter against the harm of Quraysh. Soon after, his beloved wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) also passed away. She had been the best support for him in his mission and in conveying the message.

Allah, the Exalted, willed to honor His chosen Prophet ﷺ, ease his pain, comfort him, and strengthen his heart. Thus occurred this great event, which also highlighted the importance of in al-Quds. and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Allah did not decree that the Ascension be directly from Mecca to the heavens; rather, He chose that it begin from the rock of in al-Quds., so that Muslims—and all people—would know that in al-Quds. is a great and sacred land in Islam.

The journey of Al-Isra and Al-Mi’raj was not merely an ordinary event; rather, it was a complete divine miracle by every measure. Through it, Allah supported His Prophet ﷺ, granted him victory, and manifested his truth over his enemies.

The event began when three angels came to the Prophet ﷺ. They opened his chest, removed his noble heart, washed it with the water of Zamzam Well, and then filled it with faith and wisdom. After that, the angels presented him with milk and wine. The Prophet chose the milk and drank it, and Gabriel gave him glad tidings that he had chosen the path of natural purity (fitrah).

Gabriel then brought the Prophet the Buraq to ride. Gabriel set out with the Prophet from Al-Haram Mosque in MAKKAH to Al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds.

On the way, the Prophet ﷺ stopped at Yathrib (later known as Medina) and prayed there. He also stopped at Mount Sinai, where Allah manifested Himself and spoke to Moses, and he prayed there as well. Then he stopped at Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and prayed there.

When Gabriel brought the Prophet close to Jerusalem, he dismounted at the gate and tied the Buraq to the iron ring used by the prophets before him. The Prophet ﷺ then entered Al-Aqsa Mosque, met the noble messengers, greeted them, and led them in prayer as their imam for two rak‘ahs.

As for the starting point of the journey, there are two opinions:
One states that the journey began from Al-Haram Mosque, where the Prophet ﷺ had been sleeping in the Hijr (Hijr Ismail) area. The other opinion says it began from the house of Umm Hani bint Abi Talib.

After that, the journey of the Ascension (Mi‘raj) began from the Noble Rock in al-Quds.Gabriel then carried the Prophet ﷺ on his wing, and the journey of ascent to the heavens began.
Meeting the Prophets

The description of the prophets during the journey of Al-Isra and Al-Mi‘raj:

In the first heaven, Gabriel (Jibril) asked for permission to enter and it was granted. There the Prophet saw Adam (peace be upon him).

Then they went to the second heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There were Zakariya (Zechariah) and Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary), peace be upon them.

Then they ascended to the third heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There was Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him.

Then they went to the fourth heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There was Idris (peace be upon him).

Then they went to the fifth heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There was Harun (Aaron), peace be upon him.

Then they went to the sixth heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There was Musa (Moses), peace be upon him.

Then they went to the seventh heaven. Gabriel asked for permission and it was granted. There was Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, the close friend of Allah.

After that, Gabriel took the Prophet ﷺ to Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary).

Gabriel continued with the Prophet ﷺ until they reached the veil, which is the limit of creation. Then another angel took the Prophet while Gabriel stayed behind. The angel ascended with the Prophet until he reached the Throne (Al-‘Arsh).

Allah inspired the Prophet to say the greeting, and the Prophet said:
“At-tahiyyat al-mubarakāt wa as-salawāt at-tayyibāt”
(“Blessed greetings, prayers, and pure words belong to Allah.”)

At that moment, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet and his nation—fifty prayers in the day and night.
Description of Paradise and Hell
After that, Gabriel (Jibril) took the Prophet and admitted him into Paradise. In it were things that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and that have never crossed the heart of any human being. Then the Prophet saw Hell and looked at its punishment, and he sought refuge from it.

After that, they came to Moses (peace be upon him). Moses kept telling the Prophet to return to God and ask for a reduction in the number of prayers. The Prophet returned, and God reduced ten prayers. The Prophet continued going back and forth between the Prophet Moses and the Lord of Glory until the prayers became five.

Then the Almighty called out: “I have prescribed for you and your nation fifty prayers; the five are equal to fifty. My decree has been finalized, and I have lightened the burden for My servants.”

After that, Gabriel (peace be upon him) returned the Prophet to his resting place in MAKKAH on the same night.