God the Almighty bestowed on His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) a miracle -- al- Israa' wal- Mi'raj (the Night Journey & Ascension) -- in order that his honor be increased and that he be revealed one of His grand signs. God the Almighty says in the Holy Qur'an:"Holy is He Who carried His bondman by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Aqsa Mosque around which We have put blessings that We may show him Our grand signs; No doubt, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." [Qur'an. 17: 1] and: "By the lovely shining star Muhammad, when he descended from the Ascension (Meraj). Your companion neither went astray nor misled. And he speaks not of his own desire. That is not but the revelation that is revealed to him. He was taught by one possessing mighty powers. Possessor of strength. Then that splendid sight proceeded. And he was on the highest horizon. Then that splendid sight drew nearer, then he came close well. So, there was a distance of two hands between the Splendid sight and the beloved (Prophet) but rather less than that. Now He revealed to His bondman whatever He revealed. The heart lied not in what he saw. Do you then dispute with him concerning what he has seen? And indeed, he saw that Splendid sight twice. Near the farthest Lote-tree. Near which is the Garden of Eternity. When that was covering the Lote-Tree, which was covering. The eye deviated not, nor crossed the limit. Certainly, he saw very big signs of his Lord." [Qur'an. 53: 1-18]

Examination of the Prophet's Night Journey and Ascension in Islamic literature

A majority of Islamic scholars are in agreement with the fact that the Mi'raj occurred spiritually as well as physically, as the Holy Qur'an clearly points this out in the aforementioned verse using the word 'abdihi' [which means His servant/bondman] which incorporates both soul and body. The Qur'an as well as the Prophetic Traditions (Ahadith) discuss the occasion of Mi'raj.

Yet some scholars raise doubts regarding whether the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a dream or a reality. Most believe in the physical nature of the Prophet's journey and Ascension, which occurred when he (PBUH) was fully conscious. Those who claim otherwise (that the Mi'raj was only spiritual, not physical) are incorrect in their claim, as God the Almighty is All-Powerful and can...

Although the Ascension and Night Journey are implicitly and overtly discussed in the Holy Qur'an, the Ahadith discuss them more clearly.
Throughout this blessed Journey, the Angel Jibrail (Gabriel) escorted the Prophet (PBUH), who was transported to the Baitul Maqdis and beyond on a Heavenly animal -- the Buraq -- that is described as larger in size than a donkey but smaller than a mule. The Buraq enabled the Messenger of God (PBUH) to cover vast distances swiftly, a feat no ordinary animal could achieve. At Baitul Maqdis were congregated all of God's Prophets (who came previously to the earth, to guide mankind), who then prayed behind the greatest and last of His Prophets -- Muhammad (PBUH). Subsequently, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to the 7 Heavens, where he met with the Prophets Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Yahya, Yaqub, Haroon, Isa, and other Prophets (May the Blessings and Peace of God be upon them).

Beyond the seven Heavens, the Prophet (PBUH) ascended to the Sidrat-al-Muntaha (Lote Tree marking the seventh Heaven's utmost boundary), which he crossed and conversed with God the Almighty. On the occasion of Mi'raj, the five obligatory prayers were prescribed for all Muslims, a blessing from God specific to the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the Ummahs of the previous Prophets had to perform fifty compulsory prayers. Thus, the Prophet (PBUH) completed a miraculous physical and spiritual journey to his Lord and back (Rahman, 2012).

The following reasons may be cited from literature (Qur'an and Hadith) to prove the Mi'raj was both a physical and a spiritual experience:

a) "His mind and heart in no way falsified what he saw" (Quran 53:11).

All verses of the Holy Qur'an are a Wahy (revelation), which is no dream, or spiritual experience or conjecture, but a reality, a message from God the Highest to His Prophet (PBUH), conveyed through the Angel Jibrail.

The Prophet (PBUH) used to narrate his dreams to his Sahaaba (companions) in the morning: He never said the Night Journey and Ascension was a dream. Furthermore, Qur'an 53: 10 mentions the phrase "Asra bi'Abdihi" (abdihi - "His servant") which must comprise soul as well as body. If it was only the Prophet's soul that experienced…