Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Harâm
to al-Masjid al-Aqsâ, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs.
Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
The verse opens with “Exalted is He”. Ibn Kathîr explains: Allah glorifies Himself for doing what none but He can do.
And who is carried? “His servant.” On the night he rose highest, Allah calls him by this name.
When was it? Scholars differ on the year. The hadith of Abû Dharr is clear on the place: “I was at Makkah.”
The roof of his house opened. Jibrîl came down, opened his chest and washed it with Zamzam water.
Then he poured into it a golden tray full of wisdom and faith, and closed it.
Then al-Burâq was brought: a white animal, larger than a donkey and smaller than a mule.
Each stride landed as far as its eye could see.
That is all this hadith says of it. It mentions no wings and no face.
Al-Masjid al-Harâm in Makkah, al-Masjid al-Aqsâ in Jerusalem: two mosques joined in one night.
“Masjid” means a place where you prostrate. And he ﷺ said: the whole earth was made a place of prayer for me.
Asleep or awake? For Ibn Kathîr, awake, body and soul. A mere dream would not have made Quraysh call him a liar.
Before a single step, his heart was washed and filled. The journey began in his heart.
One night in Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ was taken on a journey no one had made before.
One verse of the Qur'an tells it. The Companions' hadiths give the details.
The greatest journey began with a washed heart, before any distance was crossed.
Tonight, before you pray, make your wudû' slowly, as a preparation and not a formality.