Shab e Miraj, also known as Isra and Meraj, is a sacred night for Muslims that commemorates the miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the heavens. Here is everything you need to know about this blessed event.
Date and Significance
Shab e Miraj 2023 is expected to be observed on the night of Friday, February 17th, 2023. However, the exact date depends on the sighting of the moon of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.
Shab e Miraj means “the night of ascent” in Arabic. It marks the occasion when Allah invited Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to His presence and bestowed upon him many gifts and blessings. One of them was the establishment of obligatory prayers (Fardh Salah) for Muslims.
Shab e Miraj is a source of inspiration and guidance for Muslims as it shows the honor and dignity that Allah granted to His beloved messenger (S.A.W.) and his followers.
Background and Story
Shab e Miraj took place around 10-12 years after Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) received his first revelation from Allah. It was a time of hardship and grief for him as he had lost his wife Khadijah (R.A.) and his uncle Abu Talib who supported him in his mission.
To comfort and strengthen him, Allah arranged this miraculous journey for him. It consisted of two parts: Isra and Meraj.
Isra refers to the part when Angel Jibrael (A.S.) took Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) from Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem on a winged creature called Al-Buraq. This is mentioned in the Quran:
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” [Quran 17:1]
At Masjid Al-Aqsa, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) led all the previous prophets in prayer. Then he was taken by Angel Jibrael (A.S.) to ascend through seven heavens until he reached Sidrat Al-Muntaha, a tree that marks the end of creation.
There he met Allah who spoke to him directly and gave him various instructions and commands. Among them was the order to perform five daily prayers which were initially fifty but reduced to five after Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) intercession.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) also saw many wonders and signs of Allah’s power and mercy during his journey such as Paradise, Hellfire, angels, prophets etc.
He returned back to Makkah before dawn with many blessings and wisdoms that he shared with his companions.
How do Muslims celebrate Shab e Miraj?
Muslims celebrate Shab e Miraj by performing extra prayers, reciting Quran, remembering Allah’s names and attributes, seeking forgiveness for their sins, sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and learning more about his life and teachings.
Some Muslims also fast on this day or give charity to express their gratitude and devotion to Allah and His messenger (S.A.W.).
In some countries like Pakistan, Shab e Miraj is a public holiday and people decorate their homes and mosques with lights and candles. They also organize lectures, competitions, and gatherings to share stories and lessons from this miraculous event.
