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How can we reconcile the Qur’an’s denial of human ascension in Surah Al-Isra, verse 93, with the miracle of the Mi‘raj (Ascension), especially since there is no contradiction in the Qur’an?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The Isra and Mi'raj are among the great signs of Allah, indicative of the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Allah's dazzling power. The correct view is that he was transported by night (Isra) and ascended (Mi'raj) with his physical being, while awake, not in a dream. People have differed concerning the Isra and Mi'raj, but the consensus of scholars is that it occurred once in Mecca after the Prophetic mission and before the Hijra (migration), and he was transported by night with his physical being, while awake, from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, then he ascended to the heavens. The glorification in His saying, "Glorified be He Who transported His servant by night," indicates the عظَمة (greatness) of the event. Had it been a dream, the disbelievers would not have deemed it great and disbelieved him, nor would some Muslims have apostatized. "The servant" includes both the soul and the body. The Quran responded to the stubborn demands of the idolaters for signs, such as causing the sky to fall or bringing Allah and the angels, by saying: "Say, 'Glorified be my Lord! Am I anything but a human messenger?'" This answer refutes all their stubborn demands, which no human can fulfill.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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