Isra and Mi‘raj of the Prophet ﷺ: Physical or Spiritual Journey? Proofs from Qur’an and Hadith
Taken from: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p. 230
❖ Question:
Was the Mi‘raj (ascension) of the Prophet ﷺ a physical journey or only a spiritual vision?
❖ Answer:
On a single night, Allah granted the Prophet ﷺ two great miracles:
① Isra – from Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) to Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).
② Mi‘raj – from Masjid al-Aqsa to the heavens.
Both events occurred with body and soul.
Qur’anic Evidence for Isra
﴿سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا﴾
(Surah al-Isra: 1)
- The word ‘abd (servant) indicates both body and soul, not soul alone.
- If it were only a spiritual journey, the Qur’an would not use this term.
Proofs from Hadith
- A Buraq (heavenly mount) was brought for the Prophet ﷺ to ride to Jerusalem. A spiritual vision requires no mount.
- From Masjid al-Aqsa, he ascended via a celestial ladder, hence the name Mi‘raj (“ladder of ascent”).
- On each heaven, Jibril (عليه السلام) sought permission at the gates, which is only consistent with a real, physical journey.
Shqq al-Sadr (Chest Opening)
- Hadith mention that Jibril (عليه السلام) woke the Prophet ﷺ, opened his chest, washed his heart with Zamzam water, filled it with faith and wisdom, then returned it to his body.
- Such a physical act would not be necessary for a mere dream or vision.
Qur’anic Evidence for Mi‘raj
**﴿وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ . عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ . عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ . إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ . مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ﴾
(Surah al-Najm: 13–17)
- The verses describe the Prophet’s ﷺ sight, steadiness, and nearness at Sidrat al-Muntaha.
- Such detailed descriptions do not apply to a dream.
Difference Between Dreams and Mi‘raj
- The Prophet ﷺ clearly differentiated between visions in dreams and the Mi‘raj, which he described as an actual ascent.
- Rational minds can distinguish between a dream and a real, physical event.
Objections of the Disbelievers
- The Quraysh mocked the Prophet ﷺ, saying: “We take months to reach Jerusalem, and you claim to have gone and returned in a single night?”
- Such objections make sense only if the claim was a bodily journey, not a dream.
Belief of Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه)
When informed, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) replied:
“If the Prophet ﷺ said it, then it is true. Certainly, he made the journey.”
He affirmed it as a real event, not a dream.
Conclusion
- Both Isra and Mi‘raj occurred with the body and soul of the Prophet ﷺ.
- The Qur’an, authentic Hadith, the reaction of the Sahabah, and even the objections of the disbelievers all confirm it as a physical journey, not merely spiritual or in a dream.
Hence, Mi‘raj was a true bodily ascension of the Prophet ﷺ.
