Among the most profound moments in Islamic spiritual history is the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This day is known as Isra and Miraj. This day marks an extraordinary journey that stands as a miracle beyond human comprehension. Likewise, it reflects a timeless source of meaning, comfort and guidance for believers navigating hardship, faith and purpose!
The Ascension occurred during one of the most difficult periods of the Prophet’s life, often called the Year of Sorrow. During that year, he had lost his beloved wife Khadijah, his greatest supporter and source of comfort, and his uncle Abu Talib, his protector in a hostile society.
Therefore, rejection, grief and isolation weighed heavily upon him. It was in this moment of deep human weakness that the Almighty Allah honoured him with a journey unlike any other. This sacred journey reminds humanity that divine closeness often follows profound struggle.
The journey started with the Isra, the miraculous night travel from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. This travel carried powerful meaning for it connected sacred spaces, affirmed the unity of prophetic tradition, and elevated Jerusalem as a spiritual centre. From there began the Miraj, the Ascension through the heavens.
There, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encountered earlier prophets — Adam, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, and others — each greeted him with honour. These meetings symbolised continuity, one message, one God, delivered through many messengers at different times.
At the peak of this Ascension, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reached a closeness to Allah unmatched by any human being. Words fail to capture that nearness, and perhaps that is intentional. The Ascension reminds us that not all truths are meant to be fully explained; some are meant to be experienced with humility and faith.
In a world that often demands proof for everything, Miraj teaches that belief also rests on trust in divine wisdom beyond the limits of reason.
One of the most lasting gifts of the Ascension was the command for the five daily prayers to all Muslims. Unlike other obligations revealed on earth, prayer was given in the heavens. This elevates prayer from ritual to spiritual ascent. Each prayer becomes a personal Miraj for the believer — a moment to step away from worldly burdens and stand in the presence of Allah.
It is not a burden imposed, but a mercy granted, refined through compassion when the number of prayers was reduced, emphasising Allah’s understanding of human capacity. The Ascension also reframes how believers view hardship. The Prophet was lifted to the heavens not at the height of worldly success, but at the depth of sorrow.
This teaches that pain is not rejection, and difficulty is not a sign of divine anger. On the contrary, moments of brokenness may be gateways to profound spiritual elevation. The Almighty Allah sees, hears and responds sometimes in ways beyond imagination.
In today’s world, where people struggle with anxiety, loss and a sense of spiritual distance, the message of Isra and Miraj remains deeply relevant. It invites reflection on balance: between earth and heaven, effort and trust, grief and hope. It reminds us that while our bodies remain grounded, our souls are capable of rising through sincerity, prayer and remembrance.
Eventually, the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not merely a historical event to be commemorated. It is a living reminder that faith is a journey, closeness to Allah is possible and no darkness is permanent. Just as the Prophet rose beyond the limits of the world, believers too are called to rise above despair, above ego and towards heavenly light.
Isra and Miraj whispers to every wounded soul: your pain is seen and your tears are counted. When the world feels too heavy, remember — the path upward often begins in the depths. You may not see the sky open, but every sincere prayer lifts a piece of you beyond despair.
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