Denying Al-Isra'

Q 1: I read in the book of Fatawa Shaykh-ul-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful to him) that whoever denies (Part No. 2; Page No. 453) one letter of the Qur'an is a Kafir (disbeliever). Thus, they have to be advised to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and give up such denial or they are to be killed. What then is the ruling on a man who denies the incident of Isra' (Night Journey) and Mi`raj (Ascension to Heaven) and brags in front of people saying that such an incident is impossible, bearing in mind that Allah (Exalted be He) says: Say: "Was it at Allâh (عز وجل), and His Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations) and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you were mocking?"

A: The incident of Isra' and Mi`raj is proven both in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allâh) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] Who took His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) to Al-Masjid-al-Aqsâ (in Jerusalem). On the other hand, there are some Hadith Mutawatir (Hadith reported by a significant number of narrators throughout the chain of narration, whose agreement upon a lie is impossible) to the effect that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was taken on the concerned journey by his soul and body while he was awake not asleep. Undoubted proofs were established for the truthfulness of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding what he said about the journey in question. Consequently, Muslims of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) agreed on believing in Isra' and Mi`raj and all that they involved, while atheists and heretics did not. In addition, the Kafirs (disbelievers) denied Isra' and Mi`raj because of their arrogance and stubbornness. Allah (Exalted be He) says: They intend to put out the Light of Allâh (i.e. the Religion of Islâm, this Qur’ân, and the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) with their mouths. But Allâh will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). Whoever thus denies Isra' and Mi`raj disbelieves in what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and denies (Part No. 2; Page No. 454) what has been revealed to him. This is because denying Isra' and Mi`raj is tantamount to denying the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) talking about them such as Allah's Saying: Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allâh) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] Who took His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) to Al-Masjid-al-Aqsâ (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed. And: And indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw him [Jibrîl (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time). Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass). Near it is the Paradise of Abode. Since whoever denies one Ayah (Qur'anic verse), word, or letter of the Qur'an is considered a Kafir; whoever denies the incident of Isra' and Mi`raj is more deserving to be considered Kafir. This is also because denying the incident of Isra' and Mi`raj is tantamount to denying the obligation of performing the five daily Salahs (Prayers) which is plain Kufr (disbelief) that takes a person outside the fold of Islam. This is because Salah (Prayer) was made obligatory on both the Prophet and his Ummah (nation) without mediators during the journey in question. There are Mutawatir Hadiths to that effect. Consequently, whoever denies Isra' and Mi`raj is undoubtedly a Kafir who goes out of the fold of Islam. May Allah protect us all! Allah (Exalted be He) says: (Part No. 2; Page No. 455)  Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.