Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
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This guide is the third in our Rajab Series, following Rajab, The Month of Allah and Laylatul Ragha’ib.
InsyaAllah, according to Mawlanaق’s calendar, Thursday, 15th January 2026, after Maghrib, marks the blessed Night of Ascension, Laylatul Israʾ Miʿraj.
On this night, Allah ﷻ honoured His Beloved Prophet ﷺ with a journey in which he was shown the realities of creation: the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell, the seven Heavens, al-ʿArsh, and the Divine signs of his Lord, in a manner known only to Allah ﷻ.
No other creation was granted what was granted to the Prophet ﷺ on this night. It was a pure act of Divine honour and generosity, a Divine gift bestowed upon the highest of humanity, the Sultan of all Prophets ﷺ.
For this reason, the Night of Israʾ Miʿraj is a night of miracles, mercy, and immense opening, beginning after Maghrib and extending through the night.
Mawlana Shaykh Muhammadق said:
“The events that took place on this night, perhaps it would take thousands of years for them to happen, but they happened in only two hours of this world’s time.
Allah ﷻ opened up time and place for our Holy Prophet ﷺ, and he saw it all and returned with the Ikrams (gifts). And those who love our Holy Prophet ﷺ are also given from those gifts on this night.”
(Full sohbah here)
*Dates may vary from country to country depending on local moon sightings. Kindly follow your local authority where applicable.
*The Night of Ascension falls on the night of the 26th of Rajab, beginning after Maghrib on the 26th, not the 27th.
Thursday, 15th January/ 26th Rajab
Night of Israʾ Miʿraj
This year, the Night of Israʾ Miʿraj coincides with the blessed night of Friday, adding to its virtue and honour.
Below are the full recommended practices for this blessed night, to be performed according to one’s ability:
① Make Intention for Seclusion
③ Grandshaykh’s Duʿa al-Mathur
There are many accepted versions of the Mawlid, and we have included some that we hope you will find useful. You may continue with whichever version you are accustomed to.
⑥ Perform Tasbih Prayer
This is a four rakaʿat prayer, performed similar to ‘Isha prayer.
The goal is to complete a total of three hundred tasbih, which means seventy‑five tasbih in each rakaʿat.
The tasbih in each rakaʿat are distributed as follows:
15 tasbih after the Takbir, 10 tasbih after reciting the surahs, 10 tasbih in rukuʿ, 10 tasbih in iʿtidal, 10 tasbih in sujud, 10 tasbih between the two prostrations, and 10 tasbih in the second sujud. Repeat the same sequence for the remaining three rakaʿat.
⑦ Perform Shukur Prayer with Duʿa Qunut
This is a two rakaʿat prayer with a prolonged sujud at the end. The Duʿa Qunut is recited in the second rakaʿat, similar to the Fajr prayer.
- In the first rakaʿat: 1 x Surah Al-Fatiha and 2 x Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- In the second rakaʿat: 1 x Surah Al-Fatiha and 1 x Surah Al-Ikhlas.
⑧ Perform Israʾ Miʿraj Prayer
This is a two rakaʿat prayer performed after ‘Isha prayer.
- In each rakaʿat: 1 x Surah Al-Fatiha and 20 x Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- After the prayer, recite Salawat Shareef 10 times.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَسَلِّم
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin wa sallim
O Allah! Send blessings and peace upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad and grant them peace.
- Then recite the duʿa below, followed by personal duʿas for yourself, your family and the Ummah.
⑨ Complete the 30 rakaʿat Rajab Prayer (if not yet completed)
⑩ Close with Ihda and Al-Fatiha
⑪ Night Vigil with istighfar and heartfelt duʿas
Mureeds are encouraged to make sincere du‘as, and an overnight vigil (qiyam) is highly encouraged on this blessed night.
Do make the most of this night, as it is counted among the most important nights of the Islamic calendar. This year, it falls on the night of Friday, further increasing its significance.
Such nights are among the greatest gifts for the Ummah and should not be taken lightly.
Google Drive to the full devotions of this night here.
Access the Laylatul Israʾ Miʿraj PDF with clickable links here. Click the underlined text to go directly to the relevant devotions.
Friday, 16th January/ 27th Rajab
Day of Israʾ Miʿraj
① Sunnah Fasting
It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If someone keeps the fast on the 27th day of Rajab, he will be credited with the same reward as that which is given for fasting 60 months.”
When in Lefke, it was observed that Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق, even when in poor health, would still fast on this day and would break his fast with the community in the mountains.
② Recite 1,000 x Surah Al-Ikhlas
Mawlana Shaykh Muhammadق encouraged this to be completed throughout the day, as its rewards are great.
③ Pray Solat Sunnat After Zuhur (4 rakaʿat)
It is related by Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilaniق that Sayyidina Abdullah ibn ‘Abbasر would observe the following practice on this day:
- He would iktikaf in the mosque from Fajr
- He would spend the morning in ibadah (adab, awrad, wazifa, Qur’an, Dala’il al-Khayrat, and similar acts of worship)
- After Zuhur, he would pray 4 rakaʿat Sunnah prayer
- In each rakaʿat, he would recite:
- 1 x Surah Al-Fatiha
- 1 x Surah Al-Falaq
- 1 x Surah An-Nas
- 3 x Surah Al-Qadr, and
- *50 x Surah Al-Ikhlas
- He would then remain in du‘a until Asar
*Simplified Version:
All of the above remains the same, except Surah al-Ikhlas is recited 11 times instead of 50.
“This,” said the Sahabah, “is exactly what Rasulullah ﷺ always did on this particular day.”
Reminder: Fasting is not only abstaining from food and drink. One must also fast the eyes, tongue, and all limbs. There is no benefit in fasting while engaging in haram actions such as backbiting, lying, or gossip.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Many a person who keeps the fast gains nothing from his fasting but hunger and thirst, and many a person who stays awake at night gains nothing from his vigil except sleeplessness.”
Additional Practices:
④ Qurban (animal sacrifice and feeding the poor)
Our Naqshbandi Shuyukh would sacrifice an animal on this day and distribute its meat to the poor. The reward of sadaqah on this day is multiplied greatly.
SufiHub (Naqshbandi ‘Aliyyah A’Posh Singapore) will be organizing a collective qurban for this blessed occasion at the maqam of Grandshaykh Abdullahق in Syria.
Those who wish to contribute can find more information about our monthly charity efforts on our Telegram channel.
⑤ From Shaykh Ali al-Ujhuriق:
On the last Friday of Rajab, recite the following 35 times during the Jumu‘ah Khutbah, while the Khatib is standing on the Minbar:
Ahmadur Rasulullah, Muhammadur Rasulullah
Ladies may also recite this at home.
Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق said:
“During holy nights and holy days, more lights are available to us, because holy nights and days are different from ordinary nights. That is why it is very important for every believer, young or old, to take more care of the soul and not to waste these times.”
(Full sohbah here)
May we strive to be among those who recognise the value of these blessed times and do not allow them to pass in heedlessness.
May Allah ﷻ grant us presence of heart on this blessed night, accept what we are able to offer, and cover our shortcomings with His mercy.
May He ﷻ return us from this night closer to Him than when we entered it.
Over the past week, we have been sharing sohbahs related to this blessed night, and we will continue to do so in the coming days.
You may refer to them here, or subscribe to our website to have them sent directly to your inbox.
This post has been compiled from the teachings of our beloved Sheikh, the late Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan (Al-Fatiha).
It also encompasses the teachings of great masters such as Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilaniق, Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق, Mawlana Shaykh Muhammadق, Shaykh Adnan Kabbaniق, various classical and contemporary kitabs along with the writings of Awliya and scholars of the Naqshbandi Way.
As such, it is intended as a comprehensive guide to the devotions one may practice on this blessed day.
However, as Mawlanaق has often reminded us, any form of worship is accepted by Allah ﷻ, no matter how small. We should always strive to do good, even in small amounts, for what matters most is sincerity and consistency.
One should not feel disheartened or overwhelmed and abandon worship altogether. No matter the measure of our deeds, our duty is to keep striving to improve in this beautiful Way. We are truly blessed to have Mawlanaق’s guidance always.
We pray this guide brings benefit, provides clarity, and supports you on your journey.
We seek forgiveness for any shortcomings or errors.
For any questions or suggestions, you are welcome to reach us at thesufihubteam@gmail.com.
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