- published: 16 Aug 2013
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The Isra and Mi'raj (Arabic: الإسراء والمعراج, al-’Isrā’ wal-Mi‘rāğ), are the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islamic tradition, the Islamic prophet Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. It has been described as both a physical and spiritual journey. A brief sketch of the story is in sura (chapter) 17 Al-Isra of the Qur'an, and other details come from the Hadith, supplemental writings about the life of Muhammad. In the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed Buraq to "the farthest mosque" where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven where he speaks to God, who gives Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayer.
According to traditions, the Journey is associated with the Lailat al Miraj, as one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar.
Muhammad, at the time a merchant in Mecca, had begun receiving revelations in 610, at the age of 40, from what he described as the archangel Gabriel. Muhammad was commanded to recite the words of Allah to his family, and to a growing circle of followers in Mecca, some of whom began to write them down, and were eventually gathered into the book known as the Qur'an. However, many of the townspeople did not believe in Muhammad's revelations, and openly mocked him. He and his family and protectors were persecuted and starved, which led to the death of Muhammad's wife, and Muhammad's chief protector, his uncle Abu Talib, around 619 or 623. It was during this time that Muhammad told of another visitation by Gabriel, in which Muhammad was transported by the lightning steed, the Buraq, to the "farthest mosque".