The SeerahJourney

The Night Journey and the Ascension

الإسراء والمعراج

He was taken by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, and raised up to the heavens.

QuranSee it in the Atlas
When
Before the Hijra; the year and month are disputed
Date
The sources give different dates; the views are below.

The event

The Quran tells that Allah took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings He blessed (17:1). That the journey happened is agreed; when it happened is not.

islamweb's fatwa sets out the views: one year before the Hijra (an-Nawawi, and Ibn Hazm claimed consensus on it), or five years before it; and for the month, Rabi al-Awwal (Ibn al-Athir and others), Rajab, Ramadan or Shawwal. It gives no single date.

Evidence

QuranAl-Israa (The Night Journey)Quran 17:1
Opening Basmala (surah header): بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ ١

Exalted[722] is He who took His Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] by night from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām to al-Masjid al-Aqṣā,[723] whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing,[724] the Seeing.[725]

Translator's notes

[722] Above any imperfection or failure to do as He wills. [723] In Jerusalem. [724] Who hears every sound, distinguishes every voice, understands every word, and accepts and responds to supplications. [725] Who sees and understands all things apparent and unapparent, visible and invisible.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

1. Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allâh) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him][1] Who took His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) to Al-Masjid-al-Aqsâ (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) of Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer[2].

[1] (V.17:1)وقد روى طلحة بن عبيد الله أنه قال للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ما معنى سبحان الله؟ قال تنزيه الله من كل سوء؛ [2] (V.17:1) Narrated Jâbir bin ‘Abdullâh رضي الله عنهما that he heard Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "When the people of Quraish did not believe me [i.e. in the story of my Isrâ’ - (Night Journey)], I stood up in Al-Hijr and Allâh displayed Jerusalem in front of me, and I began describing it to them while I was looking at it. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.5, Hadith No.226).

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