Israa and Miraaj – Dr. Bilal Philips
Masjid Al-Aqsa and The Dome of the Rock
Israa literally means a journey by night and Miraaj literally means an elevator, i.e., an instrument which lifts something up.
But, in Islaam, Israa refers to a miraculous night journey made by the last Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) from Makkah to Jerusalem, and Miraaj refers to the vehicle which took the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) from Jerusalem, up and out of the universe, through the seven heavens, and into the direct presence of Allaah.
Towards the end of a calm night, one year before the Hijrah, the roof of Prophet Muhammad’s (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) house split open and angel Jibreel (Gabriel) descended into the Prophets (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) room. He went over to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), opened his shirt, and cut open his chest.
He then removed his heart and washed it inside with Zam Zam water. After he had completed washing it, he then brought a gold dish filled with Eemaan (faith) and Hikmah (wisdom), emptied it into the Prophets (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) chest, and then closed it all up.[1]
Jibreel then nudged the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) until he awoke. When the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) got up, Jibreel took a hold of his hand and lead him outside of his house to the gate of Kabah.
There the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) found a strange unearthly animal. It was smaller than a mule but larger than a donkey, white in color and having a wing on either of its hind legs. He was informed that its name was Buraaq, a name taken from the Arabic word Barq which means a flash of lightning.
Jibreel helped the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) mount it and they set off to the north. Each stride of the Buraaq took it to the horizon, and, in no time they reached Jerusalem. There the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) dismounted and tied the animal to the same ring on the door of al-Masjid al-Aqsa used by the prophets.
The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) entered the Masjid and prayed two Rakahs. When he finished he noticed a group of other prophets also making Salaah there. He saw among them Prophet Moosaa, Prophet Eesaa, and Prophet Ibraaheem.
Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was then told to lead them all in Salaah. When the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) finished this Salaah, someone said to him, This is Maalik, the guardian of the Hellfire, so give him Salaams. When he turned around to greet him, the angel gave him Salaams before he had time to do so.[2] Jibreel then brought two vessels and presented them to the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). One was filled with wine and the other was filled with milk. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) chose the vessel filled with milk and drank from it.
Jibreel then said You have been guided to the Fitrah.[3]