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Muhammed - Isra and Mi'raj
Identifier
003297
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Isra and Mi'raj (Arabic: الإسراء والمعراج, al-’Isrā’ wal-Mi‘rāj), 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 17 Al-Isra of the Quran 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.
A description of the experience
1550 CE Persian miniature painting, depicting the Prophet Muhammad
ascending on the Burak into the Heavens, a journey known as the miraj