The Night of Ascension and scientific achievements

إن الحمد لله نحمده،ونستعينه ونستغفرہ ونومن بہ ونتوکل علیہ،ونعوذ بالله من شرورأنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا،من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلاهادي له،وأشهدأن لاإله إلاالله وحده لاشريك له،وأشهدأن محمداًعبده ورسولهﷺتسليماً كثيرا-
اعوذباللہ سمیع العلیم من الشیطن الرجیم۔۔ بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًامِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِالْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَاحَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَاإِنَّهُ هُوَالسَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ۔۔صدق اللہ العلی العظیم۔ربِّ اشْرَحْ لي صَدري ویَسِّرْلی أمری واحْلل عُقدةً مِنْ لساني یَفقَهواقَوْلی ۔ ربناتقبل مناإنك أنت السميع العليم،وتب عليناإنك أنت التواب الرحيم آمین یارب العٰلمین
Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and believe in Him and place our trust in Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our own selves and from the consequences of our misdeeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead, and whomever He allows to go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger. May abundant peace and blessings be upon him. Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, has spoken the truth

I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from Satan, the accursed.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance], And ease for me my task, And untie the knot from my tongue, That they may understand my speech. Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. And turn to us in mercy. Indeed, You are the Ever-Relenting, the Most Merciful. Ameen, O Lord of the worlds.

Countless praises and glorifications be to the Blessed Almighty Allah, and countless salutations be upon the noble personality of the Seal of the Prophets (ﷺ). Thereafter:
Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

Highly Respected Friends and Brothers,
Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

As you all know, today’s discussion has been arranged to reflect on the event of Isra and Miraj of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and its connection to scientific marvels.

It is my firm belief that when the Lord Almighty Himself, along with millions of angels, is praising someone, then that individual’s greatness is beyond measure. Moreover, it is certain that if not even a single soul were to remember my Lord, it would make no difference to Him, for the significance of this world in His sight is no greater than the wing of a crippled mosquito.

Now, let’s consider—can a mere clerk or servant, through any action of theirs, elevate the rank of a king? Certainly not! Similarly, when my Lord has declared in the Qur’an:
وَ رَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ
“And We have elevated your mention” (Surah Al-Inshirah: 4),
it means that Allah Himself has raised the remembrance of the Prophet (ﷺ) to the highest level.
But in comparison to whom was his status elevated? To understand this, let me present a worldly example that will help us grasp the immense honor of the greatest personality whose remembrance we are gathered here to celebrate.

The true realization of his esteemed status comes when we acknowledge that as the journey from Sidrat al-Muntaha (the highest point in the heavens) began, everything remained beneath the blessed feet of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ).
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰی ۙ،فَکَانَ قَابَ قَوۡسَیۡنِ اَوۡاَدۡنٰی ۚ،فَاَوۡحٰۤی اِلٰی عَبۡدِہٖ مَاۤ اَوۡحٰی ﴿ؕنجم:8-10﴾
Then he approached and descended And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.

We Must Rely Solely on What Our Lord Has Revealed in the Qur’an
We must be eternally grateful—countless times over—to Allah for granting us the greatest blessing: being born into the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). On the Day of Judgment, when all other prophets will be crying “Nafsi, Nafsi” (myself, myself), our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) will be calling out, “Ya Ummati, Ya Ummati” (my people, my people), even in the most severe and terrifying moments of that Day.

Modern science, having utilised merely 5% of human intellectual capabilities, has made incredible advancements, yet 95% of human potential remains undiscovered. The knowledge that encompasses 100% of reality cannot be comprehended with a mere 5% of human intellect. The Isra and Miraj is a divinely ordained event, a reality that modern science has yet to fully grasp.

Scientific Challenges in Understanding the Miraj
The miraculous journey of Miraj is difficult for some to comprehend due to certain scientific objections, such as:
Overcoming Earth’s Gravity – It is said that escaping Earth’s gravitational pull requires an extraordinary amount of energy and a velocity of at least 40,000 km per hour.

Survival in Space Without Air – There is no air in space, and human life is dependent on oxygen.
Extreme Temperatures in Space – In direct sunlight, space can reach scorching temperatures, while in shadowed regions, it can become freezing cold.

Cosmic Radiation – Deadly cosmic rays, ultraviolet radiation, and X-rays exist beyond Earth’s atmosphere, and even minor exposure to these could be lethal.
Weightlessness in Space – Without preparation, the sudden shift to weightlessness would be extremely difficult to endure.

The Speed of Light and Time Dilation – According to modern science, nothing can travel faster than light. Even meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere at much slower speeds burn up due to friction, so how could the Prophet (ﷺ) undertake such a vast journey in the blink of an eye?

Misinterpretations of Miraj
Due to these objections, some well-intentioned but misguided individuals have attempted to reinterpret Miraj as a dream or a spiritual journey. However, the Qur’anic term “Asra” refers to a physical journey, not a dream. Furthermore, the opening words of Surah Al-Isra—”Subhanalladhi” (Glory be to Him)—indicate that this was an extraordinary event that defied the usual laws of nature, a direct manifestation of Allah’s absolute power.

If Miraj were merely a dream, it would not have been anything unusual—after all, people often see extraordinary visions in their dreams. However, Miraj was a physical journey beyond the constraints of time and space.

Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and the Miraj
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity helps us understand time dilation. Suppose scientists build a spacecraft that travels just below the speed of light (300,000 km per second). If astronauts embark on a journey at this speed for two years, upon returning to Earth, they might find that decades or even centuries have passed on Earth!

This is known as the “Twin Paradox” in relativity, which suggests that time slows down for those moving at extreme speeds. However, this very principle disproves attempts to explain Miraj through relativity.

Why? Because when the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from Miraj, the latch on his door was still swinging—as if no time had passed at all! If relativity applied, years should have passed on Earth, but instead, time remained unaffected.

Beyond Human Comprehension
Miraj was not bound by physical laws—it was a divine journey beyond the constraints of time and space. Allah, who created time itself, is not bound by it. The human mind, limited in its capacity, cannot fully grasp divine realities, just as an ant cannot understand the workings of a vast universe.

Thus, rather than attempting to rationalise the greatest miracle through limited human knowledge, we should accept it as an extraordinary manifestation of Allah’s absolute power—a journey beyond science, beyond reason, and beyond time itself.

The Theory of Relativity and the Journey Through Time and Space
The second part of the Theory of Relativity, known as the General Theory of Relativity, provides a satisfactory answer to our question. In this theory, Einstein interconnects time and space, presenting them as a unified entity called spacetime. He describes the universe in this manner, where three spatial dimensions—length, width, and height (or depth)—are combined with a fourth dimension, time. This concept of spacetime forms a fabric on which galaxies, star clusters, planets, asteroids, and comets exist, all bound by the laws of nature. As human beings are also part of this observable universe, they too are subject to these limitations.

According to the General Theory of Relativity, any point in the universe can be defined within this spacetime fabric. This theory has made humankind realise just how insignificant and constrained they truly are.

Carl Sagan, a renowned American astronomer, illustrates this concept in his book Cosmos by presenting the idea of a hypothetical two-dimensional species. This species exists in a world with only two dimensions—length and width—similar to a shadow on a table’s surface. Since they are confined to two dimensions, they cannot perceive or comprehend height or depth.
Now imagine that a three-dimensional being (such as a human) encounters this two-dimensional species. To communicate, the three-dimensional being calls out to them. However, the two-dimensional creatures, unfamiliar with the concept of height, assume the voice is coming from within themselves. When the three-dimensional being enters their world, they can only see the part of its body that intersects with their two-dimensional plane. This confuses and frightens them.

To further demonstrate the existence of another dimension, the three-dimensional being lifts
one of these creatures out of its plane and introduces it to the concept of height and depth. To the rest of the two-dimensional world, it appears as though this creature has simply vanished. After experiencing this new perspective, the two-dimensional being returns to its world and attempts to explain height to its peers. However, since they have no frame of reference for it, they dismiss the idea as nonsense, believing their friend to have lost their mind.

Similarly, humans are bound by the limitations of a four-dimensional physical world—three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension. The laws of physics operate within this four-dimensional structure and cannot extend beyond it. This is why understanding the realities of a higher dimension, or another realm is beyond human perception and comprehension.

The Journey of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Concept of Time Travel
Now, let us return to our main discussion. The observable universe (the material world) and the unseen universe (the metaphysical realm) exist as two separate fabrics of spacetime. Though they may be in proximity, the events occurring in one have no impact on the other.

During the miraculous event of Isra and Mi’raj, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was transported from one spacetime fabric to another. Despite what seemed to be an extensive journey, when he returned, the latch on his door was still moving, just as he had left it. If we analyse this using the framework of relativity, it suggests that rather than experiencing a delay in time, the Prophet (PBUH) engaged in an extraordinary journey through time itself.

Modern science frequently discusses the concept of time travel. While it may seem like science fiction to the general public, it is a subject of serious academic discussion. But is time travel truly possible? Let us first break it down into simple terms.

Everything we see around us is the result of light reflecting off objects and reaching our eyes. Light travels at approximately 186,000 miles per second (around 300,000 kilometres per second). This is why we perceive our surroundings instantaneously. If an object is 300,000 kilometres away, the light reflecting from it will take one second to reach us, meaning we are always seeing it as it appeared one second in the past.

The Sun is about 150 million kilometres from Earth, and its light takes approximately eight minutes to reach us. In other words, the Sun we see at any given moment is actually the Sun as it was eight minutes ago.

Now, to understand time travel, imagine a spacecraft travelling at twice the speed of light towards a planet that is the same distance from Earth as the Sun. The journey there would take four minutes, and the return trip another four minutes, making a total travel time of eight minutes. However, upon returning to Earth, the astronauts would be able to see themselves still travelling towards the planet.

Why? Because the light carrying their images would still be en route to Earth, taking its natural eight-minute journey. However, since they travelled faster than light, they arrived back before their own images did. This means they would be watching their past selves—this is what is meant by time travel. It demonstrates how travelling faster than light could theoretically allow one to move forward or backward in time.

When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) returned from his ascension, time on Earth had remained unchanged, even though he had been away for what seemed like an extensive period. This suggests that his journey occurred at a speed far beyond that of light, allowing him to traverse spacetime in a manner that defies our conventional understanding of time.
This concept, hinted at in the Qur’an, is a testament to its divine origin. Now, the question remains: is human time travel possible?

Let us turn to one of the greatest scientific minds of our time, Stephen Hawking, to see what he has to say on this subject.

I do believe in time travel. Time travel to the future. Time flows like a river and it seems as if each of us is carried relentlessly along by time’s current. But time is like a river in another way. It flows at different in different places and that is the key to travelling into the future. This idea was first proposed by Albert Einstein over 100 years ago.

I firmly believe in time travel to the future. Time flows like a river, carrying us all along, but it behaves quite differently from an ordinary river—it flows at different speeds in different places. This variation in the flow of time is the key to time travel. This concept was first proposed by Einstein a hundred years ago.

In simple terms, travelling through space and time—moving forward while leaving time behind—is, at least theoretically, a scientifically viable idea that no one disputes. The only challenge is human capability, both in knowledge and practical application, which remains limited for now. To achieve such a journey, an immense level of knowledge and scientific proficiency would be required.

Now, consider this: the Creator of this universe not only demonstrated time travel in practice but also mentioned it in His divine revelation. This was shown in reality fourteen hundred years ago during the miraculous journey of the Mi’raj. This event stands as undeniable proof that a super-science, a supreme knowledge, has always been at work in the universe—an infinite power that holds the ability to accomplish anything.

Let us recall the verse with which I began this lecture. Allah, the Almighty, states:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًامِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِالْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَاحَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَاإِنَّهُ هُوَالسَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ(الاسراء:1)
Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

As far as the challenges of the aerial journey of Miraj are concerned, today, human knowledge has overcome most of them. Except for the challenge of time, all other obstacles have been resolved, and even the issue of time is only relevant for extremely long journeys. The event of Miraj, which Islam itself describes as a miracle, was made possible by Allah’s infinite power and might—just like all other miracles granted to the Prophets.

If humans, through scientific advancements, can create objects capable of escaping Earth’s gravitational pull, develop materials resistant to the deadly cosmic radiation beyond our atmosphere, and train themselves to endure weightlessness, then how can one doubt Allah’s ability to make the journey of Miraj possible? If mankind, with its limited power, can achieve such feats, then surely the Almighty, with His boundless authority, can accomplish far greater things.
Thus, Allah Himself declares in the Holy Quran:
وَمَاأَمْرُنَاإِلَّاوَاحِدَةٌ کَلَمْحٍ بِالْبَصَرِ﴿ القمر: 50﴾
And Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye.

According to tradition, Angel Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him) placed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) upon Buraq, a celestial steed whose name is derived from barq, meaning lightning. Lightning travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. If a person were to ride upon the horse of time, time itself would come to a halt for them. In other words, if one were to travel at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, time would stand still, as this is the speed at which time itself moves.

When an individual gains control over this fourth dimension—time and space—the vast universe shrinks into a mere point for them. Though the person would perceive themselves as moving, the universe around them would appear to be frozen. Even if centuries passed in this state, time would remain suspended. The moment they dismount from this ‘horse of time,’ the clock would resume its ticking. One could have journeyed across the entire universe, yet upon returning, their bed would still be warm, the door latch would still be moving, and the water would still be flowing.

Scientists are aware that an atom itself is composed of over 100 subatomic particles, one of which is the neutrino. This tiny particle passes through all matter in the universe without colliding with anything. Matter offers no resistance to it, nor does it experience any friction from material objects. The neutrino is so minuscule that it does not burn due to friction, as friction only arises when a particle has at least the mass of an atom. (On 23rd September 2011, scientists at CERN Laboratory acknowledged through their experiments that neutrinos travel faster than the speed of light.)

The power of Allah Almighty is infinite, and He is capable of all things. If He chooses to hold back the night for as long as He pleases, no one except Him can bring forth the day. Let us reflect upon His words in Surah Al-Qasas (Verses 71-72):
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ اللَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًاإِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُاللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَاءٍأَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ النَّهَارَسَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُاللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ:القصص:71-72
Say, “Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you light? Then will you not hear?” Say, “Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?”

The Possibility of the Miraj in the Light of Modern Science
It is part of our everyday observation that in a household, multiple electrical appliances function simultaneously. Light bulbs illuminate the rooms, ceiling fans circulate air, radios and televisions provide entertainment, telephone conversations take place, refrigerators preserve food, air conditioners cool the environment, tape recorders capture various programs, grinders crush spices, irons smooth out wrinkles in clothes, and CDs play films—among many other things. However, if someone turns off the main switch, everything comes to an immediate halt. This makes it evident that all these devices operate due to the presence of electric current.

The same principle applies to industries. In factories, textiles are woven, and various products are manufactured. The moment the power supply is disrupted, production ceases. But as soon as electricity is restored, everything resumes operation. Given these everyday observations, modern man can better comprehend the authenticity of the accounts regarding the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) miraculous night journey, the Miraj.

It is narrated that when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) returned from the Miraj, his bed was still warm, the water for ablution was still flowing, and the door latch was still moving. Fourteen centuries ago, accepting this as truth seemed impossible, but today, it is easier to grasp. The example of electricity helps us understand how everything can come to a standstill when controlled. Similarly, if time itself could be controlled, everything would freeze in place. It is possible that, on the night of Miraj, the laws of time and space were suspended, or time itself ceased to move. Would this have been difficult for the Creator of the universe, the Master of time and space?

If, with human ingenuity, spacecraft can reach the Moon, Venus, and Mars, then by divine power, could the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) not have traversed the heavens and reached Sidrat al-Muntaha on the night of Miraj? Is there anyone who ponders over this?

The rational explanations for the Miraj presented here aim to address the concerns of the modern intellect, proving that such occurrences are no longer difficult to understand. Science does not render them impossible. However, religious beliefs do not always rely on empirical observation; they require faith in the unseen. This matter is one of pure conviction and belief.

When the authenticity of Tawhid (monotheism) and Prophethood is established through reliable sources, then having faith in them—and entrusting the reality of such events to divine knowledge—becomes an act of worship. It is not necessary that every supernatural event conforms to natural laws; this is why faith is emphasized first. Prophethood, revelation, and miracles all transcend the realm of human logic and perception. If someone insists on understanding everything purely through reason and declares that they will not believe in anything unless it aligns with their intellect, then such a person remains deprived of true faith. May Allah keep our hearts steadfast in belief.

This concludes the first part of my discourse. With your permission, I would like to present another perspective on the Miraj.

The Miraj: The Pinnacle of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) Miracles
The Miraj is the most extraordinary miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It was this divine event that paved the way for the conquest of the universe, unlocking the doors to celestial exploration. Humanity later pursued scientific discoveries and ventured into the unknown, seeking the hidden mysteries of space. During a brief moment in the night, Allah Almighty transported the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) not only from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa but beyond the vast cosmic expanses, all the way to “Qāba Qawsayn” and “Aw Adnā,” the highest realms of existence. After what seemed like a prolonged stay, he returned to Earth within the same short span of terrestrial time.

Fourteen centuries ago, human knowledge was neither vast nor deep enough to grasp even the slightest aspect of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) miracles. At that time, many foundational concepts of modern science were yet to be discovered. However, today, as human intellect evolves, scientific inquiry continues to validate the truths that were attested to by divine revelation centuries ago. History bears witness that Muslims, with their unwavering belief in the unseen and divine power, have always accepted the miracles of the Prophet (ﷺ) without the need for empirical evidence. The faith of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the believers who followed them was admirable; despite their inability to comprehend the workings of divine power, their faith never wavered.
(Lecture on the topic of the Ascension of the Prophet and scientific achievements on Friday, 15th Shaban, 14th February 2025, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)