For the majority of Muslims across the world, the holiest sites in their religion are the Kaaba (inside Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah, followed by Al-Masjid an- Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and then the Umayyad Mosque or Great Mosque of Damascus.

Also written as Shab-e- Miraj and sometimes known as Al-Isra Wal-Miraj, the event marks a miraculous experience that was bestowed upon prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Shab-e- Miraj translates as the Night of Ascent or Ascension and is when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) rose to heaven and was brought into the divine presence of the Almighty (SWT).

Also called Lailat-al-Miraj, Isra and Miraj, and the Prophet’s Ascension, it falls within Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, and takes place just a month before Ramadan – the time of extended fasting that ends with Eid celebrations. And while many Muslims wait until Ramadan before giving to charity with the donation known as Zakat, they are also urged to do good deeds in Rajab. The Prophet (PBUH) is quoted as saying: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” Ummah is an Arabic word meaning community and describes the Muslim world and its community of believers.

On this special night of Shab-e- Miraj, prophet Muhammad (PBUH) journeyed from Makkah to what the Qur’an describes as the ‘farthest mosque in Jerusalem’ where he ascended to heaven. Masjid al-Aqsa is regarded as the location of the ‘farthest mosque’ – this traditionally describes the large sacred site that is sometimes called Haram Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary).

The sanctuary contains multiple mosques including the gold-plated Dome of the Rock and the silver-domed Quibly building. Some worshippers refer to the Quibly mosque as Masjid al-Aqsa, but the name is usually used to describe the entire site.

After being visited by two angels while he was asleep, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made the journey from Makkah in a single night to Jerusalem. He travelled on the back of a winged steed called Buraq. From Jerusalem, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended through the seven heavens to the highest point where he spoke to the Almighty (SWT), who gave him the divine gift of instruction for Muslims to recite salah (or salat) five times a day. This is why the journey and ascent are marked as one of the most important dates on the Islamic calendar.

-Sourced

*Muslims in South Africa will be observing the night of Lailat al Miraj on Monday evening, February 28.