What is the ruling on Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, which is the twenty-seventh night of Rajab?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no doubt that the Isra’ and Mi’raaj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascent into heaven) are two great signs of Allaah which point to the truthfulness of the His Messenger Muhammad (
), and the greatness of his status before Allaah. They are also signs of the great power of Allaah, and of His exalted position above His creation. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al‑Masjid Al‑Haraam (at Makkah) to Al‑Masjid Al‑Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All‑Hearer, the All‑Seer” 1
There are mutawaatir reports from the Messenger of Allaah () that he was taken up into the heavens, and their gates were opened for him, until he passed beyond the seventh heaven, where his Lord spoke to him as He willed, and enjoined the five daily prayers upon him. At first Allaah, may He be exalted, enjoined fifty prayers, but our Prophet Muhammad () kept going back and asking Him to reduce it, until He made them five, so they are five obligatory prayers but fifty in reward, because each good deed is rewarded tenfold. To Allaah be praise and thanks for all His blessings.
With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month.
With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet () according to the scholars of hadeeth. Allaah has wise reasons for causing the people to forget it. Even if the date were proven, it would not be permissible for the Muslims to single it out for particular acts of worship, and it is not permissible for them to celebrate it, because the Prophet () and his companions (
) did not celebrate it and they did not single it out in any way. If celebrating it was something that is prescribed in Islam, the Messenger would have told his ummah about that, either in word or in deed. If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transmitted the information to us. They narrated from their Prophet () everything that his ummah needs to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the religion, rather they were the first ones to do anything good. If celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islam, they would have been the first people to do so. 
The Prophet () was the most sincere of people, and he conveyed the message to the people in full, and he fulfilled the trust. If venerating and celebrating this night were part of the religion of Allaah, then the Prophet () would have done that and would not have concealed it. Since no such thing happened, it is known that celebrating it and venerating it is not part of Islam at all. Allaah has perfected this ummah’s religion for it and has completed His favour upon them, and He condemns those who introduce things into the religion which Allaah has not ordained.
Allaah says in His holy Book, in Soorat al-Maa’idah (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” 2
And Allaah says in Soorat al-Shoora (interpretation of the meaning):
“Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained?” 3
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it is proven that the Messenger of Allaah () warned against bid’ah (innovation) and stated clearly that it is misguidance, so as to show the ummah how serious the matter is and put them off it.
For example, it is narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (
) that the Prophet () said:
“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” In a report narrated by Muslim it says: “Whoever does any action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.” 4
It is narrated that Jaabir (
) said: The Messenger of Allaah () used to say in his khutbah on Friday:
“The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (
In al-Sunan it is narrated that al-‘Irbaad ibn Saariyah () said: The Messenger of Allaah () delivered an eloquent speech to us which melted our hearts and caused our eyes to flow with tears. We said: O Messenger of Allaah, it is as if it is a farewell address, so advise us. He said:
“I advise you to fear Allaah, and to listen and obey, even if a slave is appointed over you. Whoever among you lives will see many differences, so I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it. Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray.”
And there are many ahaadeeth with a similar meaning.
Warnings against bid’ah (innovation) have been narrated from the companions of the Messenger of Allaah () and from the righteous salaf after them, because this is no more than adding things to the religion and instituting a religion that Allaah has not ordained, and it is an imitation of the enemies of Allaah, the Jews and the Christians, in their additions to their religions and introducing into them things that Allaah had not ordained. It also implies that there is something lacking in Islam, and that it is not complete, and it is well known that this leads to great mischief and evil, and goes against the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” 6
It also goes against the ahaadeeth of the Messenger () which warn against innovation (bid’ah).
I hope that the evidence we have quoted will be sufficient to convince the seeker of truth that this bid’ah is wrong, i.e., the innovation of celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, and that it is not part of the religion of Islam at all.
Because Allaah has enjoined being sincere towards the Muslims and explaining what Allaah has prescribed for them in their religion, and because it is haraam to conceal knowledge, I thought that I should point out this innovation, which is so widespread in many regions that people think it is part of the religion, to my Muslim brothers. Allaah is the One Whom we ask to set the affairs of all the Muslims straight, and to bless them with knowledge of Islam, and to help us and them to adhere steadfastly to the truth, and to forsake everything that goes against it, for He is able to do that. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon His slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him).
Comments
Bid'ah
celebration
Hadith
haram
history
Inauthentic
innovation
Islam
Isra’ and Mi’raaj
night
Quran
Rajab
Ruling
seerah
48 replies on “Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj”
Alhamdulillah this seems to be sound information I’ve also seen people celebrate the prophets birthday to . As far as I’m aware Muslims only celebrate two festivals the two Eid ‘s.why is it that some countries celebrate the prophets birthday?
Because we are so far away from authentic Sunan! Whatever our mullahs and hujurs say, we take it to be the ultimate truth without doing even a bit of research our own-selves!
Those who celebrate mi’araj & meeladun nabi are clearly violating & goes against Qur’an & sunnah.
Your choice of words is wrong brother. I dont celebrate but rather I pray, dhikr and make lots of dua on this night and thank allah ta’ala. I am firm with my prayers but on this night I make an effort to do some more
This how it started brother. You wish to make an additional effort to think of Allah (Subhanu Wa Ta’Ala), make lots of Dua and be grateful to our Lord (The Exalted One) on a specific day or night which has not been prescribed in the Qur’an and the Prophet (Alaihi Salatu Wassalam). People after you won’t know that it was your tradition, they will think that it is a prescribed tradition. Here is where the Bid’ah comes and one gets punished for what he invented and also a part of others who follows him (remember Qabil who murdered his brother, and gets part of the sin for every murder). One is supposed to make an effort to remember Allah (The Exalted One), make lots of Dua and thanks Allah (Lord of the universe) a lot everyday, every second. And Allah (Subhanu Wa Ta’Ala) knows best.
From a brother who used to think like you.
Assalamu Alaikum.
As salamu alaikum It is not permissible for the Muslims to celebrate the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj, because the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) did not celebrate it. If celebrating it was something that is prescribed or even recommended in Islam, the Messenger would have told his ummah about that, either in word or in deed.
Jazaakarrahmanu bil jannah
Bismillahi Al-Rahman Al-Raheem
Asalamu Alaikum,i just want to bring to your attention a typographically error committed on this blog regarding the Surat Al-Maa`ida. The translation given does not correspond with the Arabic text..I hope this correction will be done and re-blog for the benefit of us who dont know…Wasallam Alaikum
thank u so much
I cannot say anything by certain but these days really mean a lot to lots of people in the world. For example today in Turkey all the night clubs were close only in respect of this day. So what I am trying to say is that these days can be used as means to try to explain something to other people and do some good deeds inshaAllah. Allah knows best. Selam!
What happened to other days? Why choosing a day that has no specificity in Islam? Innovation is innovation regardless of its intent. We must fear Allah!
Turkey is a muslim country, they shouldn’t be having night clubs
Thank you very much for sharing this important knowledge, may Allah protect us and help us gain the true knowledge of Islam.
Thank you Brother for the sharing of this information. Jazaak Allaahu Khairaan!!!! It really help us understand our deen better.
Jazak’Allah for this information. Truly helpful. May Allh guide us all to the right path. Ameen.
Jazak’Allah for this information. Truly helpful. May Allah guide us all to the right path. Ameen.
This is a very education blog, I was going to stay up the entire night praying because I was following other Muslim’s. I am grateful that you set us all on the straight path. May Allah reward you generously for all your intentions and good deeds.
Jazak’Allah.
Aoa..
Though not an obligation to celebrate the night of Miraj…i feel tht any individual should strive to offer nawafil ibaadat and duas. This night is very significant and should be honored.
allhamdulillah!
but i had a question…
is it forbidden to take prayer and keep fasting on this very day?
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
جزاكم الله خيراً
I was not aware of this reality… Thanx for yelling us that their is no authentication about 27th of Rajab to be night of MI’RAJ…
Muslims should refrain from this BID’AH.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
جزاكم الله خيراً
I was not aware of this reality… Thanx for telling us that their is no authentication about 27th of Rajab to be night of MI’RAJ…
Muslims should refrain from this BID’AH.
jazak allah ..
for claearing us..
I agree and usually make the people understand that celebrating “Eid e Milad un Nabi (S.A.W) is also a bid’dah but nobody understands. They say what’s wrong in celebrating a single day for our prophet having a session of naat and darood etc. For me it shouldn’t be a single day dedicated to our beloved Prophet(S.A.W),we being Muslims must recite darood each day but never celebrate 12th rabi ul awwal as His(S.A.W)’ birthday. Ihdinas sirat al mustaqeem ..aameen
My question is
if someone is praying extra nawafil on the night of 27 rajab for the sake of thanking Allah almighty that he has given namaz to our prophet (pbuh). Is he doing biddah and he will be punished for this act?
jazakarrahamaan
it is mentioned above that it would not be permissible for the Muslims to single it
out for particular acts of worship but I have in the books that there is nofol Namaz for Miraz. .I am confused. ..would u plz explain it??
Masahallah such inspiration! Appriciate it jasak’Allah…..
really very helpful
Jazak Allaha sheikh such and informative artical . U have saved me from this bidah which is in doing from years and years and my family follow . After reading this i will try to explain my family and i hope they would understand i seek help from Allaha that He give me knowledge that can help me practice my deen according quran and sunnah . Aamen .
It is really very good especially for people of subcontinent because they are intermingled with many innovations. Some Sufis introduced biddas. Educated people are influenced by scholars like you and zakir naik. So it is your duty to speak equivocally like our Salf Saliheen against innovations.
Jazak Allah
Assalamakykum warehmatullah hi wabarakatuhu i would like to ask 1 question as i read above reference this 27 night of Rajab some peoples make some food specially on the that day and offer poor peoples and relative to eat in mean while they recite quran and all that…. it is also bid’ha innovation ( indian and pakistani they make this day on 27 night also they called ( koonde ) kindle explain me they are right or wrong ?
Question 1: In Bangladesh, we do not pray any “special prayer” for Sab E Mirraj…but the Mosques arrange program like ” Quran recitation”…In my opinion, it is an act of good deed as it inspires people to read Quran on that day…so, is it still bi’dah to do such thing in Sab E Mirraj?
Question 2: is it bi’dah to pray Nafal prayer on Sab E Mirraj? The Nafal Salahs are “not” prayed to commemorate the day of Sab E Mirraj…
Question 3: Is it bi’dah to make special Dua’s after 5 daily prayers?
MASHAALLAH this website is the best
Do what is prescribed to us not whatever we feel is right. It’s very important to understand. For example doing sujood at time of sunrise until it is risen completely and sunset until it sets completely is haram. I am sure our intensions are for our creators still it is forbidden. In the same way doing voluntary prayers on specific nights although our intensions are good but if it’s not prescribed then we should avoid it. May Allah guide us to the right path.
Jazak Allah for sharing.
Sharing of this educative piece of write-up is among the beauties of being a Muslim. Alhamdulillah with the likes of you Brother, may Allah continue to guide our understanding of Islam.
Jazak Allah. My humbled addition, can we have any article or link from any beloved brother/sister about the origin of observing these days. What is the logic and reference of those people who supports these observation? What is there argument? If they have any reference or explanation in favor of observing the day then on which ground should we say there reference is wrong?
Alhamdulillah, am touch with this write up and jazakumullah. Although celebration of this is hardly to see in Nigeria on like celebration of prophet birthday.
Jazakillah khair for such an informative piece to share with us. Inshallah will help a lot of people to move towards the right path.
Why is Naful ibadah a bidah? Taraweeh in a congregation was started by Omer (ra) and was done by the Prophet (saw) only as an individual amal. Does that mean ‘taraweeh in a group’ and more than 8 rakkah is a bidah?
Our beloved Prophet sallalahu alaihe wasallam has said that take whatever the Caliphs gave or ordained because they are the rightly guided sahabas of our Prophet. Hope that clears the doubt.
Masha Allah, this is really educative. This is definately worth sharing.
Assalaamu alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh,
Jazaakumullaahu khairan for this comprehensive analysis. It really makes things easier to explain to those who feel that Muslims should celebrate the Israa’ wal Mi’raaj. Baarakallaahu feekum.
Jazakallah for thi blog !!!
So are we supposed to fast, make late night prayers or read Quran for this day?
Jazak Allahu Khair
[…] Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj – IOU Blog […]
[…] المصدر: Celebrating the night of the Isra’ and Mi’raaj – IOU Blog […]