Traditionally, the Isra and Mi‘raj are believed to be the same event. The diverse details narrated in the Qur’an and hadith are considered parts of the single event. As a result, it is generally believed that the Prophet’s night journey was one particular event that occurred at night, in a state of wakefulness, began from Masjid al-Haram, proceeded to Masjid Al-Aqsa, and culminated at the highest assembly.
Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, however, disagrees with this traditional viewpoint, arguing that the texts of the Qur’an and hadith do not support it. He believes that these were not one but four distinct events that occurred on different occasions, took different forms, and happened in different states of consciousness. The textual evidence from the Qur’an and hadith clearly proves that they are separate independent events. Additionally, he suggests that not all these events took place in the state of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) wakefulness. Two of them happened in the realm of dreams (al-ru’ya), and two occurred in an awakened state.
These four incidents are from Allah. Their nature is that of divine signs, and their significance is of revelation and inspiration. The mentioned reports, information, events, and observations are related to the prophethood and messengership of the Prophet (PBUH). Thus, they should be understood in this context and interpreted accordingly. In this matter, it is essential to stay confined to the understanding of the texts. Therefore, one should not speculate about these events, make them subject to storytelling, or search for ways to deny them by basing arguments on raw and incomplete human knowledge and experiences.