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{{Early Islam}}
{{Early Islam}}
'''Al-Miʿrāj''' (Arabic:{{ia|المِعراج}}, lit. ascent) or '''al-Isrāʾ''' (Arabic:{{ia|الإسراء}}) is the nightly journey of the [[Holy Prophet (s)]] from [[Mecca]] to [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and from there to the skies. Both [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]] are unanimous regarding the happening of Mi'raj according to frequent [[verse]]s and [[hadith]]s, but they disagree regarding the time, place, numbers, condition, and physical or spiritual nature. This event happened in the final years of the noble Prophet's (s) stay in Mecca. In Mi'raj, the Prophet (s) saw divine signs and met the souls of some great prophets (a).
'''Al-Miʿrāj''' (Arabic:{{ia|المِعراج}}, lit. ascent) or '''al-Isrāʾ''' (Arabic:{{ia|الإسراء}}) is the nightly journey of the [[Holy Prophet (s)]] from [[Mecca]] to [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and from there to the skies. Both [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]] are unanimous regarding the happening of Mi'raj according to frequent [[verse]]s and [[hadith]]s. Still, they disagree regarding the time, place, numbers, condition, and physical or spiritual nature. This event happened in the final years of the noble Prophet's (s) stay in Mecca. In Mi'raj, the Prophet (s) saw divine signs and met some great prophets' souls.


== Meaning ==
== Meaning ==
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There are differences among narrations about the detail of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj and whether its beginning and the end of it was the house of Umm Hani, [[al-Masjid al-Haram]] or [[Shi'b Abi Talib]].<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 1, p. 200; Khwārizmī, ''Manāqib'', vol. 1, p. 177.</ref> But it is famously said that in that night, the Prophet (s) was in the house of Umm Hani, daughter of Abi Talib and from there went to Mi'raj and returned there at the end.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28; Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 6, p. 312; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 283.</ref>
There are differences among narrations about the detail of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj and whether its beginning and the end of it was the house of Umm Hani, [[al-Masjid al-Haram]] or [[Shi'b Abi Talib]].<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 1, p. 200; Khwārizmī, ''Manāqib'', vol. 1, p. 177.</ref> But it is famously said that in that night, the Prophet (s) was in the house of Umm Hani, daughter of Abi Talib and from there went to Mi'raj and returned there at the end.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28; Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 6, p. 312; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 283.</ref>


To explain why the [[Qur'an]] has mentioned al-Masjid al-Haram as the departure of this journey, it is said that Arabs call all [[Mecca]] the sanctuary of God; therefore, all of it were assumed as mosque and sanctuary of God and the house of Umm Hani was in the sanctuary. Also, the content of some narrations do not agree with the occurrence of Mi'raj in Shi'b Abi Talib.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 283; Kāshānī, ''Manhaj al-ṣādiqīn'', vol. 5, p. 235.</ref>
To explain why the [[Qur'an]] has mentioned al-Masjid al-Haram as the departure of this journey, it is said that Arabs call all [[Mecca]] the sanctuary of God; therefore, all of it was assumed as mosque and sanctuary of God and the house of Umm Hani was in the sanctuary. Also, some narrations' content does not agree with the occurrence of Mi'raj in Shi'b Abi Talib.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 283; Kāshānī, ''Manhaj al-ṣādiqīn'', vol. 5, p. 235.</ref>


== Many Occasions ==
== Many Occasions ==
According to some narrations, the [[Prophet (s)]] went to Mi'raj more than just once.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 372.</ref> [['Allama Tabataba'i]] regarded one of them from [[al-Masjid al-Haram]] and another from the house of Umm Hani and said that the first [[verses]] of the [[Qur'an 53]] approves this. Also different opinions regarding the place, time and other details of Mi'raj can be justified through this theory.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28, 32.</ref>
According to some narrations, the [[Prophet (s)]] went to Mi'raj more than just once.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 372.</ref> [['Allama Tabataba'i]] regarded one of them from [[al-Masjid al-Haram]] and another from the house of Umm Hani and said that the first [[verses]] of the [[Qur'an 53]] approves this. Also, different opinions regarding the place, time and other details of Mi'raj can be justified through this theory.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 27-28, 32.</ref>


== Description of the Journey ==
== Description of the Journey ==
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In the middle of the way, the Prophet (s) stopped in [[Medina]], mosque of [[Kufa]], [[Tur Sina]] and [[Bethlehem]] which is the birthplace of Prophet [[Jesus (a)]] and prayed there. He (s) then entered [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and prayed there too.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 8; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 370.</ref>
In the middle of the way, the Prophet (s) stopped in [[Medina]], mosque of [[Kufa]], [[Tur Sina]] and [[Bethlehem]] which is the birthplace of Prophet [[Jesus (a)]] and prayed there. He (s) then entered [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and prayed there too.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 8; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 370.</ref>


Apparently, the Prophet (s) ascended to the skies from the mosque of [[Qubbat al-Sakhra]]. The reason for naming it is the existence of rock inside it from where the Prophet (s) ascended to the skies. In the travel log of [[Nasir Khusraw]], it has been claimed that upon the entrance of the Prophet (s) to the mosque, that rock ascended before him and after his ascent that rock never came back to earth.
Apparently, the Prophet (s) ascended to the skies from the mosque of [[Qubbat al-Sakhra]]. The reason for naming it is the rock inside it from where the Prophet (s) ascended to the skies. In the travel log of [[Nasir Khusraw]], it has been claimed that upon the entrance of the Prophet (s) to the mosque, that rock ascended before him and after his ascent, that rock never came back to earth.


=== Sky of the World ===
=== Sky of the World ===
====Speaking with the Prophet Adam (a) ====
====Speaking with the Prophet Adam (a) ====
From there, the Prophet (s) ascended to the sky of this world and saw [[Prophet Adam (a)]] there. Then, angels came to welcome him in groups and greeted him smiling and congratulated him. There, the Prophet (s) saw an angel having a frowning and angry look and when greeting him (s), not smiling like others. When the Prophet (s) asked the name of that angel from Gabriel, he answered that "this is Malik, guard of the hell and has never smiled and his wrath on the enemies of God and sinners is being increased incessantly." The Prophet (s) then asked Gabriel to show him the hell and when he opened its cap, a flame rose out of it which filled the air.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 9-10.</ref>
From there, the Prophet (s) ascended to the sky of this world and saw [[Prophet Adam (a)]] there. Then, angels came to welcome him in groups and greeted him smiling and congratulated him. The Prophet (s) saw an angel there having a frowning and angry look and greeting him (s), not smiling like others. When the Prophet (s) asked the name of that angel from Gabriel, he answered that "this is Malik, guard of the hell and has never smiled and his wrath on the enemies of God and sinners is being increased incessantly." The Prophet (s) then asked Gabriel to show him the hell, and when he opened its cap, a flame rose out of it which filled the air.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 9-10.</ref>


==== Conversing with Malik al-Mawt ====
==== Conversing with Malik al-Mawt ====
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=== Second to Seventh Skies ===
=== Second to Seventh Skies ===
The Prophet (s) then ascended to the second sky and there, he (s) met [[Prophet Yahya (a)]] (John the Baptist) and Prophet Jesus (a), then with [[Prophet Joseph (a)]] in the third sky, with [[Prophet Idris (a)]] (Enoch) in the fourth sky, with [[Prophet Aaron (a)]] in the fifth sky and with [[Prophet Moses (a)]] in the sixth sky.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 12-13.</ref>
The Prophet (s) then ascended to the second sky. There, he (s) met [[Prophet Yahya (a)]] (John the Baptist) and Prophet Jesus (a), then with [[Prophet Joseph (a)]] in the third sky, with [[Prophet Idris (a)]] (Enoch) in the fourth sky, with [[Prophet Aaron (a)]] in the fifth sky and with [[Prophet Moses (a)]] in the sixth sky.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 12-13.</ref>


=== Seventh Sky ===
=== Seventh Sky ===
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==== Return ====
==== Return ====
On return, the Prophet (s) landed in Jerusalem and went toward Mecca. On his way to Mecca, he (s) encountered a trade caravan of [[Quraysh]] who had lost a camel and were searching for it. The Prophet (s) drank from the water they had in a bowl and poured the rest of it on the ground<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 8; Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 13; Kāshānī, ''Manhaj al-ṣādiqīn'', vol. 5, p. 246-247.</ref> and according to a report, covered the cap of the bowl. He (s) landed in the house of Umm Hani before sunrise,<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-waṣīyya'', p. 217.</ref> and told her his secret for the first time and then in the daytime, disclosed his secret to the gatherings of Quraysh.<ref>Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 368.</ref>
On return, the Prophet (s) landed in Jerusalem and went toward Mecca. On his way to Mecca, he (s) encountered a trade caravan of [[Quraysh]] who had lost a camel and were searching for it. The Prophet (s) drank from the water they had in a bowl and poured the rest of it on the ground<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 8; Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 13; Kāshānī, ''Manhaj al-ṣādiqīn'', vol. 5, p. 246-247.</ref> and according to a report, covered the bowl's cap. He (s) landed in the house of Umm Hani before sunrise,<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-waṣīyya'', p. 217.</ref> and told her his secret for the first time and then in the daytime, disclosed his secret to the gatherings of Quraysh.<ref>Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 368.</ref>


==== Hadith of Mi'raj ====
==== Hadith of Mi'raj ====
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== Reaction of Quraysh ==
== Reaction of Quraysh ==
The story of Mi'raj which seemed to be impossible for [[Quraysh]] to believe made their chiefs angry the most. They denied the [[Prophet (s)]] and said, "There are people in [[Mecca]] who have seen [[Jerusalem]]; to prove it, describe the building!" The prophet (s) not only described the buildings of Jerusalem but also reported the events on the way between Mecca and Jerusalem and said that in the middle of the way, I encountered a caravan from a tribe who had lost a camel and had a bowl full of water in their goods from which I drank and then covered it. Also, I encountered a group a camel of whom had escaped and had broken a leg." Quraysh said, "Report on the caravan of Quraysh." The Prophet (s) said, "I saw them in [[Tan'im]] as a grey camel was walking ahead of them, carrying a palanquin on its back. They must enter Mecca now. Quraysh became very angry at such definite news and said, "We will see the truth or lies of his word now." Soon, a caravan entered the city and [[Abu Sufyan]] and the passengers approved the details of the Prophet's (s) report.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 17; Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 13; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 369.</ref>
The story of Mi'raj seemed to be impossible for [[Quraysh]] and made their chiefs angry the most. They denied the [[Prophet (s)]] and said, "There are people in [[Mecca]] who have seen [[Jerusalem]]; to prove it, describe the building!" The prophet (s) not only described the buildings of Jerusalem but also reported the events on the way between Mecca and Jerusalem and said that in the middle of the way, I encountered a caravan from a tribe who had lost a camel and had a bowl full of water in their goods from which I drank and then covered it. Also, I encountered a group a camel of whom had escaped and had broken a leg." Quraysh said, "Report on the caravan of Quraysh." The Prophet (s) said, "I saw them in [[Tan'im]] as a grey camel was walking ahead of them, carrying a palanquin on its back. They must enter Mecca now. Quraysh became very angry at such definite news and said, "We will see the truth or lies of his word now." Soon, a caravan entered the city and [[Abu Sufyan]] and the passengers approved the details of the Prophet's (s) report.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''al-Mīzān'', vol. 13, p. 17; Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 13; Subḥānī, ''Furūgh-i abadīyyat'', p. 369.</ref>


== Condition of Mi'raj ==
== Condition of Mi'raj ==
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* Forgiving of sins except [[polytheism]]
* Forgiving of sins except [[polytheism]]
* Advising about [[Hijama]]<ref>Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 9.</ref>
* Advising about [[Hijama]]<ref>Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 9.</ref>
* [[Abu Sa'id al-Khudri]] reported that the [[Prophet (s)]] said, "On the night when [[Gabriel]] took me to Mi'raj when we came back, I told him, 'O Gabriel, do you have any request from me?' he said, 'my request is that you send regards to [[Khadija (a)]] on behalf of the Almighty God and on behalf of me." When the Prophet (s) met Khadija (a), gave her regards from God and Gabriel and she replied, "Surly, [[Allah]], He is the Peace, and from Him is peace and towards Him is peace and with Gabriel be peace."<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 385.</ref>
* [[Abu Sa'id al-Khudri]] reported that the [[Prophet (s)]] said, "On the night when [[Gabriel]] took me to Mi'raj when we came back, I told him, 'O Gabriel, do you have any request from me?' he said, 'I request that you send regards to [[Khadija (a)]] on behalf of the Almighty God and behalf of me." When the Prophet (s) met Khadija (a), gave her regards from God and Gabriel and she replied, "Surly, [[Allah]], He is the Peace, and from Him is peace and towards Him is peace and with Gabriel be peace."<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 18, p. 385.</ref>


== Position of Mi'raj in Literature and Art ==
== Position of Mi'raj in Literature and Art ==
Since the time of Al Jalayir, Mi'raj of the [[Prophet (s)]] has been among the most dominating themes for Iranian painting. There are pictures available from this period about the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj the oldest one of which is made by Ahmad Musa, one of the famous painters of this period. Pictures of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj reached their pinnacle of illustration in the next period of painting in [[Iran]] which was the school of Harat. Many books have been found from this period especially at the time of Shahrokh which have pictured the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj. One of these books is Mir Haydar's ''Mi'raj Nama'' in Uyghur language which has depicted different moments of Prophet's (s) Mi'raj. In a picture, Shah Muzaffar Siyah Qalam has depicted the Prophet (s) at the time of Mi'raj riding the human-faced [[Buraq]] which is accompanied by [[Gabriel]].
Since the time of Al Jalayir, Mi'raj of the [[Prophet (s)]] has been among the most dominating themes for Iranian painting. There are pictures available from this period about the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj the oldest, made by Ahmad Musa, one of the famous painters of this period. Pictures of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj reached their pinnacle of illustration in the next period of painting in [[Iran]] which was the school of Harat. Many books have been found from this period especially at the time of Shahrokh which have pictured the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj. One of these books is Mir Haydar's ''Mi'raj Nama'' in Uyghur language, which depicted different moments of Prophet's (s) Mi'raj. In a picture, Shah Muzaffar Siyah Qalam has depicted the Prophet (s) at the time of Mi'raj riding the human-faced [[Buraq]] which is accompanied by [[Gabriel]].


Nizami's ''Khamsas'' are among the most important books which have depicted pictures from the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj at the time of Timurids and periods contemporary with them.
Nizami's ''Khamsas'' are among the most important books which have depicted pictures from the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj at the time of Timurids and periods contemporary with them.


=== Mi'raj Painted by Sultan Muhammad ===
=== Mi'raj Painted by Sultan Muhammad ===
One of the most famous works of painting at the time of Safavids is a Khamsa of Nizami belonging to the time of [[Shah Tahmasb]] which is a drawing of the famous scene of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj painted by Sultan Muhammad. This work, together with three other works attributed to him, are placed in the illuminated manuscript of Nizami's Khamsa ordered by Shah Tahmasb Safavi and its painting and calligraphy have been made between 942/1535 and 947/1540. Its calligrapher has been Shah Mahmud Nayshaburi, the famous calligrapher of 10th/16th century. In this work, the picture of the Prophet (s) whose face has been covered with a white mask is depicted riding Buraq among the great crowd of angelic creatures with 15 angels and Gabriel is guiding him flying ahead of Buraq.
One of the most famous works of painting at the time of Safavids is a Khamsa of Nizami belonging to the time of [[Shah Tahmasb]] which is a drawing of the famous scene of the Prophet's (s) Mi'raj painted by Sultan Muhammad. Together with three other works attributed to him, this work is placed in the illuminated manuscript of Nizami's Khamsa ordered by Shah Tahmasb Safavi and its painting and calligraphy have been made between 942/1535 and 947/1540. Its calligrapher has been Shah Mahmud Nayshaburi, the famous calligrapher of 10th/16th century. In this work, the picture of the Prophet (s) whose face has been covered with a white mask is depicted riding Buraq among the great crowd of angelic creatures with 15 angels and Gabriel is guiding him flying ahead of Buraq.


=== Farshchian's Mi'raj ===
=== Farshchian's Mi'raj ===
This work is painted in the size of 101 * 81.5 cm. Beside the picture of the Prophet (s), angels are in state of supplication. In this painting which depicts the night of Mi'raj, a force can be seen which draws the hand of the Prophet (s) towards God and the higher we look, the more angels fade in the [[Divine Essence of God]].
This work is painted in the size of 101 * 81.5 cm. Beside the picture of the Prophet (s), angels are in the state of supplication. In this painting which depicts the night of Mi'raj, a force can be seen which draws the hand of the Prophet (s) towards God and the higher we look, the more angels fade in the [[Divine Essence of God]].


=== Other Works ===
=== Other Works ===
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery heights=250px widths=250px>
<gallery heights=250px widths=250px>
image:Mi'raj by Ahmad Musa-01.jpg|The event of Mi'raj has inspired Muslim painters to depict different scenes pertainintg to this extraordinary incident. Perhaps the early paintings belong to Ahmad Musa (7th/13th century).
image:Mi'raj by Ahmad Musa-01.jpg|The event of Mi'raj has inspired Muslim painters to depict different scenes of this extraordinary incident. Perhaps the early paintings belong to Ahmad Musa (7th/13th century).
image:Mi'raj by Kamal al-Din Behzad-03.jpg|Painting by Kamal al-Din Behzad Hirawi (b.854 - d.942)
image:Mi'raj by Kamal al-Din Behzad-03.jpg|Painting by Kamal al-Din Behzad Hirawi (b.854 - d.942)
image:Mi'raj by Mir Haydar-04.jpg|Painting by Mir Haydar (9th/15th century)
image:Mi'raj by Mir Haydar-04.jpg|Painting by Mir Haydar (9th/15th century)
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