Isra' and Mi'raj

Early next week, Muslims around the world will observe Isra' and Mi'raj, or the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad.

During a very difficult year in his life, Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad had a very comforting experience. One night, he made a trip to the city of Jerusalem (isra’), visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and from there was raised up into heaven (mi’raj). The next day, he told his followers of his journey and the things he saw. Muhammad and his followers perceived this as a miraculous journey, and it gave them strength and hope that God was with them despite recent setbacks.

Even at the time, there were those who laughed that such an experience was absurd. They claimed that Muhammad merely had a vivid dream, or a hallucination. However, the details of the account proved to many that the experience was real, a miracle from God. Today, Muslims do not universally acknowledge the day, but many spend time reading the Qur'an and pondering the lessons to be learned from the experience.

Photo: Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is a holy site for Muslims. (David Silverman / Getty Images)