Most of the Companions were of the view that Prophet Muhammad did not see Allah with his eyes on the night of the Mi`raj. `Aishah said: “Whoever told you that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw his Lord was lying.”

The reason why Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) led other prophets in prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa during Al-Isra’ is that our Prophet Muhammad is the greatest leader. One of the scholars suggested another reason for leading prophets in prayer in Al-Isra` which is that this ummah took over the position of leading mankind.

It is not permissible for Muslims to celebrate the night of Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi`raj because the Prophet and his Companions did not celebrate it and they did not single it out in any way.

• Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi`raj are among the great signs of Allah that point to the truth of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and to the greatness of his status before Allah.
• From the hadith of the Isra’, it is known that Prophet Muhammad was taken on the night journey in a physical sense when he was awake, according to the correct opinion, from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, riding on Al-Buraq, in the company of Jibril (peace be upon him). He halted there and led the prophets in prayer, and he tied Al-Buraq to the ring of the door of the mosque.
• Then he was taken up from Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) on that night to the first heaven, where Jibril asked for it to be opened and it was opened for them. There he saw Adam, the father of mankind; he greeted him with Salam and he welcomed him and returned his Salam, and acknowledged his Prophethood. Then he was taken up to the second heaven…

• Laylat Al-Qadr is a great night. Allah has made it superior to other nights, and He has told us that good deeds during this night are better than good deeds during more than one thousand months.
• The night of the Isra’ is superior for the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and Laylat Al-Qadr is superior for the ummah.
• The Prophet’s gains on the night of the Mi`raj (ascent into heaven) were greater than his gains on Laylat Al-Qadr, and the ummah’s gains on Laylat Al-Qadr are greater than their gains on the night of the Mi`raj.

What is circulated about there being a story of the origin of the Tashahhud and that it happened during the ascent of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to heaven (the Mi`raj) is something for which there is no basis in Islam.

• On the night of the Isra’, one and a half years before the Hijrah, Allah enjoined upon His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) the five daily prayers, and explained that there were conditions and essential parts and other matters having to do with them, bit by bit. Then Jibril came down and taught the Prophet the times of the prayers.
• Prayer was enjoined with two Rak`ahs, then when the Prophet migrated, it was enjoined with four Rak`ahs, but prayer while travelling remained as it had originally been.
• Before the Isra’, the Prophet definitely used to pray, as did his Companions, but there is a scholarly difference of opinion as to whether any kind of prayer was made obligatory before the five daily prayers or not. It was said that what was obligatory at first was prayer before sunrise and prayer before sunset.

Singling out some nights for prayer, such as the night of Al-Isra’ wal Mi`raj or the night of the Prophet’s birth is not prescribed; rather this is an innovation, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Similarly, singling out some prayers for the recitation of Surat Al-Ikhlas and repeating it is not prescribed.

There is no basis for the report that when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)returned from his Mi`raj he found his bedsheet still warm, and he found a vessel that had been overturned before his Mi`raj still dripping water, and he found the chain of the door still swinging.