Isra and Mi'raj - the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad

Isra and Mi\'raj (Isra Miraj) is the Islamic observance of the Prophet Muhammad\'s night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven. It is observed on 27 Rajab in the Hijri lunar calendar, falling in March-April in the Gregorian calendar. Indonesia is the country where it is most prominently observed as a national public holiday.

The one-line summary

Islamic religious observance on 27 Rajab (Hijri), lunar, typically falls in January-April in the Gregorian calendar. National public holiday in Indonesia. Most prominent observance in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Religious category, standard tier.

Origin

The Isra (night journey) and the Mi\'raj (ascension) are described in the Quran (Surah Al-Isra, 17:1) and elaborated in the Hadith literature, particularly the Sahih Bukhari collection. According to the traditional account, the Prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca to Jerusalem (the Masjid al-Haram to the Masjid al-Aqsa) in a single night, riding the Buraq (a celestial steed), and from there ascended through the seven heavens.

During the ascension he met earlier prophets (Adam, Jesus, Joseph, Enoch, Aaron, Moses, Abraham) and received from God the obligation of the five daily prayers (salah). The original obligation was fifty prayers; the Prophet returned to Moses repeatedly during the journey until the number was reduced to five, which Moses then endorsed.

The events occurred around 621 CE, ten years before the Hijra (migration to Medina) and roughly five years before the first Quranic revelations. The exact timing is debated among classical scholars; some place the events earlier.

When it falls

27 Rajab in the Hijri calendar. Because the Hijri calendar is lunar and does not align with the Gregorian calendar, the date moves earlier by about 11 days each year. In Gregorian terms, 27 Rajab falls anywhere between mid-January and mid-April.

The Hijri calendar is calculated by moon sighting in many Muslim communities, which means the date can vary by a day between countries. Indonesia\'s official date is typically the same as that of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and most Muslim-majority countries.

How it is observed

In Indonesia, the day is observed with mosque recitations and pengajian (religious study sessions). Many mosques host all-night Quran recitations on the eve of the day. Children often learn and recite the Isra Miraj story at school assemblies and at mosque gatherings.

Traditional foods are part of the observance in many regions. Kue lapis (layered steamed cake, sometimes interpreted as symbolising the layers of heaven) is common, as are various ketan (glutinous rice) preparations and traditional snacks distributed to neighbours and to children at mosque gatherings.

Outside Indonesia, the observance is more subdued. In Malaysia, the day is marked in some mosques and Islamic schools but is not a national holiday. In Pakistan, the day is observed by the Barelvi tradition with speeches and recitations; the state of Pakistan does not close offices. In Egypt and the Levant, the observance is modest and largely confined to mosque gatherings.

Regional variations

Indonesia is the largest country where Isra Miraj is a national public holiday. Among Muslim-majority countries in Asia, Malaysia observes the day as a religious commemoration but not a public holiday; the Philippines observes it informally in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Pakistan, Egypt, and the Gulf states mark the day in mosques without office closures.

Legal status

Isra Miraj is one of sixteen libur nasional (national public holidays) recognised under Keputusan Presiden Nomor 24 Tahun 2016 (Presidential Decree No. 24 of 2016). Banks, government offices, and schools close on the day. Outside Indonesia, the day is not a public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries.

Where it is contested

Isra Miraj is not theologically controversial; the events are accepted across Sunni and Shia traditions and across the major schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Some reform- oriented scholars have argued for a more figurative reading of the night journey, but the historical occurrence is not disputed.

The Hijri date itself can vary slightly between communities that use calculated calendars versus moon sighting, which can place the observance on adjacent days. Indonesia follows the calculated calendar for official libur nasional dates; many local mosques also observe the moon-sighting tradition.

Isra and Mi'raj by the numbers

Sources

• Quran, Surah Al-Isra (17:1).
• Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, hadith collections (Isra and Mi\'raj chapters).
• Keputusan Presiden Nomor 24 Tahun 2016 tentang Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama, Republic of Indonesia.
• Kementerian Agama (Ministry of Religious Affairs), annual Hijri calendar.
• Mush’ab Umam, "The Meaning of Isra and Mi\'raj" (Indonesian Muslim educational literature).

History of Isra and Mi'raj

Isra and Mi'raj (also spelled Isra and Miraj) commemorates two events in Islamic tradition: the Isra, the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, and the Mi'raj, his ascension to heaven. The events are described in the Quran (Surah Al-Isra) and elaborated in Hadith literature.

The date of Isra and Mi'raj in the Islamic calendar is the 27th day of Rajab. The date in the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year as it follows the lunar Islamic calendar. Isra and Mi'raj is a public holiday in several Muslim- majority countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Pakistan.

How it is observed

The day is observed with special prayers at mosques, sermons on the significance of the night journey, and recitation of the Quran. Some Muslims observe an optional fast on the 27th of Rajab. The events of Isra and Mi'raj are foundational to Islamic theology, as the Mi'raj is associated with the establishment of the five daily prayers.

Isra Miraj - ringkasan dalam Bahasa Indonesia

Isra Miraj adalah peristiwa perjalanan Nabi Muhammad SAW dalam satu malam dari Masjid Al-Haram di Mekkah ke Masjid Al-Aqsha di Yerusalem (Isra), lalu berlanjut naik ke langit ketujuh (Miraj) untuk menerima perintah shalat lima waktu langsung dari-Nya. Peristiwa ini terjadi pada 27 Rajab tahun ke-10 kenabian, dan menjadi salah satu peristiwa paling penting dalam sejarah Islam karena perintah shalat lima waktu diterima secara langsung.

Di Indonesia, Isra Miraj diperingati setiap tanggal 27 Rajab dengan berbagai kegiatan keagamaan: pengajian di masjid, lomba MTQ (Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran), ceramah tentang peristiwa Isra Miraj, dan salat Isra Miraj secara berjamaah. Hari ini merupakan libur nasional berdasarkan Keputusan Presiden Nomor 24 Tahun 2016, dan sering dirayakan dengan tema pendidikan karakter serta peningkatan kualitas ibadah shalat.