The narrations of the Isra and Mi'raj journey are numerous in the prophetic biography (Seerah) and authentic hadiths. There is no single hadith that encompasses all the events of this blessed journey; rather, there are multiple hadiths, each referring to a part or aspect of it.
The Tawatur (Mass Transmission) of the Isra and Mi'raj Incident
Al-Suyuti said in Al-Khasa'is al-Kubra (1/252): "Know that the Isra has been narrated in both detailed and concise forms from the hadiths of Anas, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, Buraydah, Jabir ibn Abdullah, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, Samurah ibn Jundub, Sahl ibn Sa'd, Shaddad ibn Aws, Suhayb, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, Ibn Amr, Ibn Mas'ud, Abdullah ibn As'ad ibn Zurarah, Abd al-Rahman ibn Qurt, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Malik ibn Sa'sa'ah, Abu Umamah, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, Abu Habba, Abu al-Hamra, Abu Dharr, Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, Abu Layla al-Ansari, Abu Hurairah, Aisha, Asma bint Abi Bakr, Umm Hani, and Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them)."
Imam al-Qastallani, in Al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, listed twenty-six male and female companions who narrated the hadith of Isra and Mi'raj.
Thus, the hadith of Isra and Mi'raj is mutawatir (mass-transmitted), and the Quran has explicitly mentioned it in Surah Al-Isra and Surah An-Najm.
A Summary Description of What Happened in the Isra and Mi'raj Journey
We will provide a brief summary of the story of Isra and Mi'raj as mentioned in the lengthy hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Malik ibn Sa'sa'ah:
- The Prophet ﷺ was taken at night from the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, riding on the Buraq, accompanied by Jibril (Gabriel), peace be upon him. He dismounted there.
- The Buraq: A white, tall animal, smaller than a mule but larger than a donkey, whose stride reached as far as its eye could see.
- The Buraq was tied to a ring at the door of the mosque, and the Prophet ﷺ found the prophets gathered there. Jibril presented the Prophet ﷺ, and he led the prophets in prayer.
- After the Prophet ﷺ finished leading the prophets in prayer, Jibril brought him two vessels: one containing wine and the other milk. The Prophet chose the milk, and Jibril said, "You have chosen the natural way (fitrah)."
- That night, the Prophet ﷺ was taken up from Jerusalem to the first heaven. Jibril requested entry, and it was granted. There, he saw Adam, the father of humanity, and greeted him. Adam returned the greeting and welcomed him.
- Then, he was taken to the second heaven, where he saw Yahya (John) and Isa (Jesus).
- Next, he was taken to the third heaven, where he saw Yusuf (Joseph).
- Then, to the fourth heaven, where he saw Idris.
- Then, to the fifth heaven, where he saw Harun (Aaron).
- Then, to the sixth heaven, where he met Musa (Moses). When the Prophet passed him, Musa wept. When asked why he was crying, Musa said, "I weep because a young man who was sent after me will have more of his followers enter Paradise than mine."
- Then, he was taken to the seventh heaven, where he met Ibrahim (Abraham), who greeted him and welcomed him.
- After that, he was raised to the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha), and then the Bait al-Ma'mur (the Frequented House) was shown to him. Finally, he was brought close to Allah, the Almighty, as mentioned in Surah An-Najm (53:9-10): "And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. And He revealed to His servant what He revealed."
- Allah prescribed fifty prayers for him. On his return, he passed by Musa, who asked, "What were you commanded?" The Prophet replied, "Fifty prayers." Musa said, "Your nation will not be able to bear that. Return to your Lord and ask for a reduction." The Prophet turned to Jibril as if seeking his advice, and Jibril nodded in agreement. The Prophet ascended again and asked for a reduction, and Allah reduced it by ten. This process continued until the prayers were reduced to five. Musa again advised him to ask for a further reduction, but the Prophet said, "I am too shy to ask my Lord again, but I accept and submit." As he departed, a voice called out, "I have decreed My obligation and have lightened the burden on My servants."
In Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is narrated from Malik ibn Sa'sa'ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: "While I was near the Ka'bah, between sleep and wakefulness, I was brought a golden tray filled with wisdom and faith. My chest was split open, and my heart was washed with Zamzam water, then filled with wisdom and faith. I was brought a white animal, smaller than a mule but larger than a donkey—the Buraq. I set out with Jibril until we reached the first heaven. It was asked, 'Who is this?' Jibril replied, 'Jibril.' It was asked, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' Jibril said, 'Yes.' A voice said, 'Welcome to him, and what an excellent arrival!' I met Adam and greeted him, and he said, 'Welcome to you, O son and prophet.' We then ascended to the second heaven, where I met Yahya and Isa, who said, 'Welcome to you, O brother and prophet.' We ascended to the third heaven, where I met Yusuf, who said, 'Welcome to you, O brother and prophet.' We ascended to the fourth heaven, where I met Idris, who said, 'Welcome to you, O brother and prophet.' We ascended to the fifth heaven, where I met Harun, who said, 'Welcome to you, O brother and prophet.' We ascended to the sixth heaven, where I met Musa, who said, 'Welcome to you, O brother and prophet.' When I passed him, he wept. When asked why, he said, 'I weep because a young man sent after me will have more of his followers enter Paradise than mine.' We ascended to the seventh heaven, where I met Ibrahim, who said, 'Welcome to you, O son and prophet.' I was shown the Bait al-Ma'mur, and Jibril explained that 70,000 angels pray there daily, and they do not return. I was then shown the Sidrat al-Muntaha, whose fruits were like the jars of Hajar and whose leaves were like elephant ears. At its base were four rivers: two hidden and two visible. Jibril explained that the hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the visible ones are the Nile and the Euphrates. Fifty prayers were prescribed for me, but upon Musa's advice, I returned to Allah and asked for a reduction until they were reduced to five. Musa again advised me to ask for more, but I said, 'I am too shy to ask my Lord again, but I accept and submit.' A voice then called out, 'I have decreed My obligation and have lightened the burden on My servants, and I reward a good deed tenfold.'"
