One of the very great miracles of Nabi ﷺ was his night journey to Masjid Al Aqsa and then to the Heavens, as it is famously known as Isra and Me`raj, with Isra referring to the journey from Masjidul Haram in Makkah to Masjidul Aqsa in Palestine and Me`raj referring to the journey to the Heavens.

As for its exact date, it is still controversial and no common consent has been reached. However, the majority of jurists is in favour of a date between 12-16 months prior to migration to Madinah.

This is mentioned right in the very first verse of Suratul Israa in the following words:
سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. [Al Israa 17: 1]

Allah begins the verse in Surah Al Israa with the word “Subhaana” which means “Glory be to Him”, in order to dispel the misgivings of those who doubt the possibility of this great incident. Yet, unfortunately even today, we find some ignorant people thinking likewise. Such people doubt the sublime majesty of Allah Ta’ala. In answer to them, Allah declares that everything is within His sublime power and might, and that nothing is ever able to overpower Him. He can do whatever He wills and he is free of every fault and deficiency. Allah’s power is unlimited and nothing whatsoever could be beyond His power.

The expression “Took his servant on a journey by night” describes the status of servitude of Rasulullah ﷺ to Allah Ta’ala. Indeed, slavery is a very sublime status, and to be the slave of Allah Ta’ala is no ordinary matter. Whoever Allah Ta’ala makes his slave and declares Him to be so, has indeed attained the pinnacles of Glory and there can be no Honour greater than this. This is why Rasulullah ﷺ has stated that the most beloved names by Allah are Abdullah (i.e. the slave of Allah) and Abdur-Rahman “The slave of the merciful one”.

One wisdom in using the term “Abd” (Slave) in the incident of Meraj is that after learning of the details of the Meraj, no person should be misled into thinking that the status of Nabi ﷺ has transcended beyond that of a “slave” and that nobody believing Him to be above that of a slave falsely attributes to Him the status of partnership with Allah Ta’ala and thereby go astray as the Christians had gone astray after exaggerating the status of Eesa (AS). Allah Ta’ala desired that such misguidance should not overtake the Ummah of his beloved Nabi Muhammad ﷺ.

The Qur’an is clear that Nabi ﷺ was taken one night on a journey from Masjidul Haraam to Masjidul Aqsa. Masjidul Haram is that Masjid which surrounds the Kaabah Shareef and at times refers to the haram of Makkah. Masjidul “Aqsa” is the name of the Baitul Maqdis which is in Shaam. The word “Aqsa” is used in the meaning of “Aba’d” which is used to denote something very far away.

Allah says “The Musjid whose, precinct we have blessed” (Concerning Musjidul Aqsa). This blessing is also both religious as well as mundane. The Deen blessing is that many prophets of Allah Ta’ala used to worship Allah there and face in its direction. It is also one of the three Masjids to which it is permissible to especially undertake a journey. It is also surrounded by the graves of the Ambiyaa (AS) from all directions. One reason for its Mundane blessing is that it is a LUSH and picturesque region of many rivers and trees.

Allah Ta’ala then says “So that we may show him some of our signs” (Clear manifestation) to undertake such a long journey in only a part of one night and to meet all the Ambiyaa (AS) and lead them in Salaah and to witness all the strange things there, all forms part of the strange manifestations of Allah Ta’ala.