Shab-e-Meraj (Isra & Meraj) — Detailed Article with Quranic References
Shab-e-Meraj is one of the greatest miracles and most blessed nights in Islamic history. It is the night when Allah Almighty honored the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with a journey that contains deep spiritual lessons for all believers. This night is commonly known as Isra (Night Journey) and Meraj (Ascension to the heavens).
Islam teaches us that this was not a dream or a normal travel; rather, it was a true miracle by Allah’s power, through which Allah showed His beloved Messenger ﷺ the wonders of the heavens and His divine signs.
1) The Night Journey (Isra) in the Holy Quran
The event of Isra is clearly mentioned in Surah Al-Isra:
> سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
“Glory be to Him Who took His servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs. Surely He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:1)
Key points from this Ayah:
Allah uses “Subhan” (Glory be to Him) to show that this event is beyond human limits.
The Prophet ﷺ is called “His servant (Abdihi)”, showing that the greatest honor is servanthood to Allah.
Masjid al-Aqsa is described as a place whose surroundings are blessed, proving its sacred status in Islam.
2) The Ascension (Meraj) Mentioned in the Quran
The Holy Quran refers to the Ascension and heavenly experience in Surah An-Najm:
> وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَىٰ
“And indeed he (Muhammad ﷺ) saw him (Jibreel) another time, near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha, near it is the Garden of Refuge, when there covered the Lote Tree that which covered it. The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress. Indeed, he saw from the greatest signs of his Lord.”
✅ (Surah An-Najm 53:13–18)
Lessons from these Ayat:
The Quran confirms the Prophet ﷺ witnessed the greatest signs of Allah.
The phrase “The sight did not swerve nor transgress” shows the Prophet ﷺ remained firm, calm, and obedient, even in the most extraordinary moments.
3) The Prophet ﷺ Saw Great Signs of Allah
Allah says:
> لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا
“So that We may show him from Our signs.”
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:1)
This statement shows that Meraj was meant for:
strengthening the Prophet ﷺ after hardships,
showing divine realities,
and proving Allah’s absolute power.
The Quran also mentions:
> وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِالنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤْيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ
“And (remember) when We told you that your Lord has encompassed the people. And We did not make the vision which We showed you except as a test for the people…”
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:60)
This verse indicates that the experience shown to the Prophet ﷺ was also:
a trial for people, because not everyone accepts miracles with faith.
4) Salah (Prayer) — The Greatest Gift of Meraj
Although the detailed command of five daily prayers is established mainly through Ahadith, the Holy Quran confirms the importance of Salah again and again as the core of a believer’s life.
Allah commands:
> أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
“Establish prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and (also) the recitation of Fajr. Indeed, the recitation of Fajr is witnessed.”
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:78)
Also Allah says:
> إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.”
✅ (Surah An-Nisa 4:103)
Link with Meraj:
Meraj teaches that Salah is the spiritual ascension of a believer. It is the worship through which a Muslim directly connects with Allah daily.
5) Allah’s Power is Beyond Human Limits
Those who doubt miracles should remember Allah’s unlimited power. The Quran states:
> إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ
“His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it ‘Be,’ and it becomes.”
✅ (Surah Ya-Sin 36:82)
So, if Allah can create the universe, then the miracle of Isra and Meraj is easy for Him.
6) Why Meraj Happened? (Purpose and Wisdom)
(A) Strength after hardships
Meraj occurred after a very painful period in the Prophet’s ﷺ life, including grief and rejection. Allah gave him this gift as:
comfort,
honor,
and assurance that Allah is always with His Messenger ﷺ.
(B) Status of Masjid al-Aqsa
Meraj confirms the importance of Masjid al-Aqsa as a blessed and sacred Islamic site:
> الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ
“Whose surroundings We have blessed.”
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:1)
(C) Faith is tested
The Quran clearly hints that it was a test for people:
✅ (Surah Al-Isra 17:60)
7) Message of Shab-e-Meraj for Muslims Today
Shab-e-Meraj gives powerful lessons:
✅ 1. Salah is not optional — it is the daily connection with Allah.
✅ 2. Allah honors His righteous servants in ways beyond imagination.
✅ 3. Hardships are followed by relief when you remain patient.
✅ 4. Masjid al-Aqsa is sacred and must remain close to our hearts.
✅ 5. True faith believes in Allah’s miracles without doubt.
Conclusion
Shab-e-Meraj is a night of light, miracles, spiritual elevation, and divine mercy. The Holy Quran confirms the Night Journey in Surah Al-Isra (17:1) and describes the heavenly signs in Surah An-Najm (53:13–18). It reminds us that Allah’s power has no limits and that the best gift for the believers is Salah, which keeps the heart connected to Allah every day.
May Allah bless us with strong faith, love of Salah, and the true understanding of Isra and Meraj.
Ameen.
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