ISRA' AND MI'RAJ

Isar' and Mi'raj (الإسراء والمعراج‎,) is a two-part journey, of both body and soul, in one single night that happened at around 621AD.  In this jounrye, Muhammad Rasulullah from Mecca, travelled - by Buraq (a cherub) - first to Baitul Maqdis in Jerusalem, then ascended up through the 7 layers of Heavens before meeting Allah at his 'Arasy (عَرْش‎).  'Arasy is the highest place occupied only by Allah, a place not even Jibril can venture into.  It is here that Muhammad was given the instructions for the five daily prayers.  This different and very exclusive and special way that the revelation is revealed makes the five daily prayers one injunction that should not be taken lightly and should be an integral and central part of any Muslim's life.

Subhana allathee asrabiAAabdihi laylan mina almasjidi alharami ilaalmasjidi al-aqsa allathee barakna hawlahulinuriyahu min ayatina innahu huwa alssameeAAualbaseeru

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) to al-Masjid al- Aqsa (Farthest Mosque), whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (17:1)