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Prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, and in some parts of the world, the call to prayer echoes through the streets.

This practice of daily prayer originates from a story in the Quran, which recounts Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem where he was given the command to pray five times a day. Muslims celebrate this story during the holiday Lailat Al Miraj. Also called Al Isra’wal Miraj, this journey is considered a miracle second only to the revelation of the Quran in the Muslim faith. Lailat Al Miraj falls on a different day each calendar year, so it can be celebrated as early as January or as late as December.

Lailat Al Miraj

According to the story in the Quran, Muhammad was sleeping in the sacred shrine of Mecca when he was visited by two archangels, Jabril and Mikal. Jabril purified his soul and filled his chest with wisdom and faith. The archangels then gave Muhammad a white, winged beast called Buraq that took him from Mecca to Jerusalem.

The story continues that several times along the journey, Jabril told Muhammad to dismount from Buraq and pray. When Muhammad arrived in Jerusalem, he met past prophets (including Abraham and Moses) in the temple and joined them in prayer. He then ascended into Heaven, where he met Allah and was instructed that Muslims must pray five times a day.

Lailat Al Miraj can be celebrated in different ways, but most Muslims will either attend special services at a mosque or pray privately at home. The story of Muhammad’s journey is often recited during prayer services. Since the journey is said to have taken place at night, there are special additions to nighttime prayer during Lailat Al Miraj.

The Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended into Heaven. The Dome is often illuminated during Lailat Al Miraj.

Gospel Opportunity

Prayer is vital in both the lives of Muslims and Christians. There are a lot of similarities in how Muslims and Christians view prayer, but there are also vast differences. In Islam, prayer is a means for eliminating sin. Muslims believe Allah will forgive sins when someone prays five times a day. Christians confess sin and ask for forgiveness during prayer, but it is ultimately through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that sin is paid for. Those who trust in Jesus’ propitiation are forgiven of sin.

When talking to Muslim friends about Lailat Al Miraj, ask how they view prayer and what prayer means to them. It could lead to a conversation about how you view prayer and your relationship with Jesus. If they are comfortable with it, ask if you can pray for them in the moment. Keep in mind that many Muslims follow specific practices for prayer—such as washing themselves or wearing particular clothing—and may not feel ready to pray immediately. At the very least, you can ask how you can pray for them. Most will appreciate this gesture and share their prayer requests. While you pray on your own, ask Jesus to reveal Himself to your friends through dreams and visions as He’s done for Muslims around the world. God can move mountains when we pray, so use this powerful tool as you seek to tell others about Jesus.

Learn more about how to share the gospel with Muslims.