Lailat al Miraj

Lailat al Miraj History

Lailatul Miraj (Arabic: الإسراء والمعراج) commemorates Prophet Muhammad's ascension to heaven. Muslims believe that on this night, an angel came to the Prophet, washed his abdomen with Zamzam water, and filled his heart with wisdom and belief. Then, Muhammad was called by God from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he prayed at the Masjid Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem). From Jerusalem, he ascended to heaven, where he was honored by being allowed to see God directly, visiting the highest levels of heaven, and leading all the past Prophets in prayer, including Joseph, Adam, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Jesus, and John the Baptist.

To get to his destinations, he rode Al-Buraq, a heavenly animal that was smaller than a mule but bigger than a donkey. He was given the gift of prayer by God. When he returned to Mecca, he accurately described a caravan that was headed to Mecca from Jerusalem to show the Quraish that he had been there. Although the exact date of Laulatul Miraj is unknown, most believe it fell on 27 Rajab.

Date shown reflects the main observance day. This observance begins at sundown on the day before.

Top Facts for Lailat al Miraj in 2026

• The name of the observance, Lailat al Miraj, literally translates to the Night of the Ascension and commemorates the miraculous two-part journey of the Prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem and then through the celestial realms.
• A primary point of interest is the Buraq, a mystical, white winged creature described as being smaller than a horse but larger than a donkey, which transported the Prophet across the desert in a single night.
• The holiday centers on the theological origin of the five daily prayers, which were established as a core pillar of faith after the original requirement of fifty prayers was reduced to five through a divine negotiation.
• The Al-Aqsa Mosque is highly significant as the earthly destination where the Prophet is believed to have led all previous messengers of God in a historical congregational prayer during the Night Journey.
• Historically, the event is situated during the Year of Sorrow, a period of intense personal loss for the Prophet following the deaths of his wife and uncle, serving as a profound source of divine comfort and spiritual elevation.
• During the second phase of the voyage, the Prophet is believed to have passed through the seven heavens before reaching the Sidrat al-Muntaha, a sacred boundary at the edge of the divine presence that no other human or angel is permitted to pass.

In the News and Trending in the US for Lailat al Miraj

Top things to do in the US for Lailat al Miraj

• Place candles or lights outside. In some Muslim countries it is a tradition to illuminate the city.
• Read the award winning book, 'The Sealed Nectar'. It is Muhammad's biography and tells of the many events that happened on Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Lailatul Miraaj.