Laylat al Miraj: Why Jerusalem matters to Muslims worldwide

For Muslims worldwide, Laylat al Miraj is a significant event in Islamic history, commemorating Prophet Mohammad's miraculous overnight journey from Masjid al Haram in Mecca to Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem, followed by his temporary ascension to heaven.

Muslims observe the night by praying in mosques, shoulder to shoulder. In some parts of the world, the prayers were held on the evening of Tuesday, February 6. And in others such congregations are scheduled to take place on February 7.

The special day falls on the 27th day of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar.

Every year, when the night is observed, the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem is underscored. There are approximately 70 references to the night in the Quran, with direct mentions of Al Aqsa in 5 verses, making the place profoundly revered in the eyes of Muslims.

Despite its significance, this year's observance of Laylat al Miraj in Jerusalem has been overshadowed by bitter emotions. Muslims have faced severe restrictions on prayers at Al Aqsa mosque for several months amidst Israel’s brutal war on Gaza.

Tensions have been high in Jerusalem, with more than 6,500 Palestinians detained in the occupied region since October 7, and at least 344 Palestinians killed.

As uncertainty looms over de-escalation, experts tell TRT World that Israel’s Netanyahu is deliberately keeping tension high in occupied East Jerusalem to include religious passions amongst his right-wing voter base.

Awakening to Jerusalem's reality

Speaking to TRT World, Turkish academician Ozcan Hidir says that Laylat al Miraj keeps alive the consciousness of Muslims towards Masjid al Aqsa and Jerusalem while also reminding them of religious, socio-cultural, and political responsibilities towards preserving the sacredness of the area.

Ozcan Hidir, a professor from Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, explains the significance of the Laylat al Miraj (night journey) in two dimensions.

“The first phase is the Isra, where Prophet Muhammad journeyed from the Masjid al Haram in Mecca horizontally to Masjid al Aqsa, and the second phase is the Ascension (Miraj), where he ascended vertically from there to heaven. Miraj event holds a somewhat metaphysical significance.”

Hidir says the second dimension is that Muslims for centuries have made immense sacrifices to keep the sanctity of Jerusalem and Masjid al Aqsa intact.

However, for the past 3.5 months, the hearts of Muslims have been grieving for the loss of Palestinian lives in Israel’s relentless bombing, Hidir says.

Israel’s war on Palestine, he adds, has once again reinforced the awareness about Jerusalem in the hearts and minds of Muslims.

Tensions likely to escalate

For the past 124 days of war, Israel has been banning Muslims from praying Friday prayers in Al Aqsa.

However, last night, Muslims in Jerusalem managed to offer the night prayers inside the sacred mosque despite restrictions.

These restrictions, according to Ugur Yasin Asal, Head of the Political Science and International Relations Department at Istanbul Ticaret University, are “deliberately” used by Israel as a way of keeping tensions high.

While speaking to TRT World, Asal says, “He (Netanyahu) is trying to convey the message to his own people and to the world that Israel is the one that is under threat.”

Asal notes, therefore, “these restrictions are the consequence of a political choice for Israel in terms of its hostile identity and ontological security.”

He further states, “However, this choice is made at the expense of rejecting the existence, rights, and religious demands of the Muslim community living there.”

Asal suggests that Israel is attempting to frame the Palestinian issue within an “existential context,” particularly aligning with its far-right government.

“We observe that there is a search for a base in Israeli internal politics, and this extreme right-wing policy has found ground in all coalitions formed in the last four years that were unable to be established initially,” he says.

Asal believes that “Netanyahu is making a very conscious choice,” and this choice of escalating tensions is likely to persist, especially during the upcoming month of Ramadan.