المعنى الاصطلاحي

The Prophet’s ascension from Bayt al-Maqdis (Masjid al-Aqsa) to the Furthest Lote Tree with his soul and body, in a state of wakefulness, in the company of Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him.

الشرح المختصر

“Mi‘rāj” (ascension) originally means an instrument of ascension, like a ladder. However, no one but Allah knows what it looks like. When used in general in the Shariah, it refers to the Prophet’s, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, ascension, with his soul and body – contrary to the belief held by the Mu’tazilites – in the company of Jibreel from Bayt al-Maqdis to the heaven of this world and then to the other heavens up to the seventh. On this journey, he saw the prophets, peace be upon them, in the heavens, according to their ranks, and he greeted them and they welcomed him. Then he ultimately reached the Furthest Lote Tree, where all that ascends from the earth ends up. He also saw Jibreel, peace be upon him, there in the form in which Allah, the Almighty, created him. Thereafter, Allah, the Almighty, talked to him and prescribed the five prayers upon him and his followers. Then he descended to the earth. “Mi‘rāj” is one of the signs of the Prophet’s distinctiveness and excellence, for no Prophet before him had ever undergone such an event.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

“Mi‘rāj”: an instrument of ascending, like an elevator or a ladder, which takes one upwards. Original meaning denotes elevation and rising.

التعريف

This is a name of the tool used for ascension. It is like a lift or a ladder, but its form and shape are unknown. It was one of the wonders given especially to the prophet, as it is confirmed that he ascended to sublime heights.