Al-Isra'
Definition
Al-Isra' — the Night Journey — refers to the miraculous journey of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem and then through the heavens. During this journey, the Prophet met Idris in the fourth heaven — an encounter narrated in authentic hadith that confirms Idris's elevated station with absolute certainty. For Ibn Kathir, this encounter is significant in multiple directions: it establishes that Idris is alive in the heavens in some form, it confirms that prophets meet and know one another across the boundaries of time, and it positions Idris as an honored predecessor in the lineage of divine guidance whose station was formally acknowledged by the final prophet.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Al-Isra'.
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"as in the hadith of Shariq from Anas, it is mentioned that his eyes slept but his heart did not sleep. He concluded with, then I awoke and found myself in the Hijr, indicating that this was a dream. Other narrations suggest that the Isra occurred while awake, with some claiming there were four Isra events and some even asserted that one of them took place in Medina. Shaykh Shihab al-Din Abu Shama, may Allah have mercy on him, attempted to reconcile the differing accounts of the Isra by proposing three Isra events. One from Mecca to al-Aqsa on al-Buraq, another from Mecca to the heavens on al-Buraq as well, based on the"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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"him in reporting it. Now regarding a hadith mentioned by al-Suhayli, it was narrated through a chain involving Ali ibn Abi Talib. It describes a messenger calling the adhan during the Isra, with Allah confirming each word. The angel then led the Prophet, peace be upon him, to lead the inhabitants of the heavens in prayer. Al-Suhayli considered this hadith authentic due to its support from the Isra event. However, it is noted that this hadith is weak, uniquely reported by Ziyad ibn al-Mundir, who is considered unreliable. If the Prophet had heard this on the night of Isra, he would have likely implemented it after the Hijra,"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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"them. Those who believed did so with certainty from their Lord, and those who disbelieved did so after the proof had been established against them. As Allah, the Exalted, said in Surah al-Isra, And We did not make the vision which We showed you, except as a trial for the people. This was a test for them. Ibn Abbas explained that it was a vision of the eye shown to the Prophet. The majority of scholars agree that the Isra and Mi'raj occurred with both his body and soul, as indicated by the context of his journey. The Ascension and related matters. Regarding his ascension in the night journey, it is said, Glory be to"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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