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Last updated 2009-09-07
The festival of Lailat al Miraj
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The night journey and ascent of the Prophet Muhammad , and the revelation of Salat .
The festival is celebrated by telling the story of how the Prophet Muhammad was visited by two archangels while he was asleep, who purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith.
The Prophet travelled from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night on a strange winged creature called Buraq. From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually God.
During his time in heaven Muhammad was told of the duty of Muslims to recite Salat (ritual prayer) five times a day.
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