Isra wal Mi’raj (جارﻌﻣﻟاو ءارﺳﻹا) took place during a time when Prophet Muhammad was
facing intense hardship, pain and deep sadness. The Quraisy, who were his tribe and his
family, constantly ridiculed, humiliated and oppressed him and his followers. Moreover, the
Prophet had just faced the Year of Sorrow, which was called ‘Aam Al-Huzn in Arabic
language, during which he lost his beloved wife Khadijah, and his uncle Abu Talib, who
was his protector and ally, in one-year period of time.

In addition to all these grief and mental burdens, when Prophet Muhammad had travelled
to Ta’if to spread the Islamic message, the people of Ta’if had rejected him in the most
heartless way, sending their children into the streets to stone him, he was really hurt that
his sandals were said to be filled with blood, until at last, he left the city, praying that Allah
grants their bloodline hidayah to Islam.

Having gone through so much grief and suffering, Prophet Muhammad was given a truly
beautiful and comforting gift; Isra wal Mi’raj. He was transported not only to the ‘Arsy and
through the skies, but ultimately into the Divine Presence, the source of all comfort and
hope. One of the most important lessons of Isra wal Mi’raj, therefore, is that “with every
hardship [there will be] ease” (Al-Insyirah, 94: 5).