Miraj: Difference between revisions

Both the night journey of the Holy Prophet from Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque supernaturally (Isra) and also the journey of the Holy Prophet to the skies with the permission and power of Allah (Miraj), are events that took place whilst the Holy Prophet was present in Mecca, because the verses related to these two journeys have been mentioned in the Surahs that were revealed in Mecca. However, there is a difference in opinion as to in which year it occurred. Also, from the collection of reports and narrations, it can be understood that this event took place many times during the Holy Prophet’s lifetime.

In two Surahs of the Holy Quran, these two events have been mentioned. The first is in relation to Isra, i.e. the night journey of the Holy Prophet from the Al-Haram Mosque to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the second is in relation to Miraj, i.e. the night journey of the Holy Prophet to the skies.

Even though Miraj and the witnessing and seeing of these great signs in the sky has not been clearly stated in these verses, there are contexts present in the verses that testify that these events took place during the Holy Prophet’s journey to the skies, because in the verse, it is mentioned that the witnessing of the signs took place in paradise and we have contexts from the verses and the narrations that state that the eternal paradise will not be on Earth. Therefore, most Shiite and Sunni exegetes consider these verses to be in relation with the Miraj of the Holy Prophet and have provided a commentary on Miraj under these verses. Apparently, these verses also testify that this event took place whilst the Holy Prophet was awake (“His gaze did not swerve, nor did it overstep the bounds.”). (Al-Najm, 17) <ref name=":0" /> Likewise, the goal of this journey to the skies was to observe the great signs of Allah (“Certainly he saw it yet another time,”). (Al-Najm, 13) <ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":3">Baḥthī Darbāreh Mi’rāj Payāmbar, p. 57 and 60</ref> <ref name=":4">In Tafsīr ‘al-Mīzān, below the first verse of Surah Isra, with due attention to the verses in Surah Isra and al-Najm, historical reports and narrations has presented a detailed explanation in relation with Isra and Miraj, whose mention in this study is beyond the scope of the audience. Therefore, we leave the study of this part to the reader: ‘Al-Mīzān, vol. 13, p. 8-35</ref>

With due attention to the various subject matter present in exegesis, narrations and history, the belief in the Miraj of the Holy Prophet is a common belief of the Muslims; although there are also differences amongst the Muslim groups in regards to Miraj.