Isra and Mi’raj are the two parts of a Night Journey that, according to Islam, Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. It has been described as both a physical and spiritual journey. According to some of the Hadith scholars this journey is believed to have taken place just over a year before Prophet Muhammad migrated to from Makka to Madina, on the 27th of Rajab. Muslims celebrate this night by offering optional prayers during this night, and in many Muslim countries, by illuminating cities with electric lights and candles.

A brief sketch of the story is in surah al-Isra of the Quran and other details come from the hadith collections of the reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of Muhammad. In the Isra part of the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed Buraq to “the farthest mosque” (identified in later Islamic tradition as a physical worldly location being at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem) where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven in the Mi’raj journey where prophet Muhammad spoke to God. This remembrance of this journey is one of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar.