Celebrating Shab e Miraj 2026

Shab e Miraj, also known as Isra and Miraj is the night in which the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) was taken on a miraculous spiritual journey from Makkah to the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and then from there ascended through the seven heavens, where he met the earlier prophets and entered the presence of Allah.

Shab e Miraj also celebrates the gift of the five daily prayers which were commanded as an essential act of worship on that miraculous night to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him).

When is Shab e Miraj 2026?

Shab e Miraj is observed on the 27th day of Rajab, the 7th month of the Islamic calendar. With this in mind, the day of Isra and Miraj will be celebrated on 3rd February 2026, subject to the sighting of the moon at the start of the month.

What Happened on Shab e Miraj?

Glory be to the One Who took His servant [the Prophet Muhammad PBUH] by night from Masjid Al-Haram [in Makkah] to Masjid Al-Aqsa [in Al-Quds], whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. [Quran 17:1]

It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) was taken from the holy mosque of Masjid Al-Haram to the blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa and ascended through the heavens thereafter. During this journey, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) met all the earlier Prophets, and stood in the presence of Allah.

Previous narrations tell us that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) was greeted by the previous Prophets with the words ‘Welcome O pious Prophet and pious brother!’, Adam (AS) and Ibrahim (AS) however welcomed him as ‘pious son’ [Bukhari].

The final part of his journey, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was brought into the presence of Allah. ‘Then Allah revealed to His servant [saw] what He revealed’. [Quran 53:10].

From this meeting Allah gave the gift to this Ummah of the compulsory 5 daily prayers, giving every Muslim believer the opportunity to communicate directly to Him.

What to Read on Shab e Miraj

On the night of Shab e Maraj it is highly encouraged to engage in prayer and recitation of the Quran. Reciting additional prayers and engaging in night prayers are all also great ways to celebrate the night. Many choose to read parts of Surah Al-Isra and reflect on that Surah that calls us back to the journey of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him), and the reality of the unseen.

What to Pray on Shab e Miraj

The night of Shab e Miraj welcomes the perfect time to remember and reflect on the miracles of Allah. You may choose to pray for forgiveness, guidance, and strength in faith during this beautiful night. There is no specific prayer for Shab e Miraj but remaining sincere to the Oneness of Allah is key. Many mosques also hold community programmes, gathering believers to spend the night in worship together.

Is it Compulsory to Fast on Shab e Miraj?

Many question whether it is compulsory to fast on the day of Shab e Mirah. The answer to this would be no, fasting on the night of Shab e Maraj is not compulsory. The night welcomes extra worship and devotion, but there is no obligation to fast on this day.

Lessons of Shab e Miraj

The event of Shab e Miraj invites believers to reflect on the journey of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), calling us to renew our faith and worship and recognise the unity of the Prophets.

Here at Community Lighthouse Foundation, we are working across a range of different humanitarian projects to help those in need. All your charitable donations go directly to the vulnerable families who really need it. Donate now to one of our appeals and help make a difference to someone’s life.