Q 3: Was the Mi'raj (Ascension to Heaven) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the heaven by body and soul or just by soul, and what is the evidence?

A: The opinion of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the Isra' (Night Journey) from Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) to Al-Aqsa Mosque by body and soul, as Allah 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). The words "His slave" refer to both his body and soul and this was how he ascended from Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa to the heaven, by body and soul. This is also confirmed by many of the Hadiths that were mentioned by Ibn Kathir and others in their Tafsirs (explanations of the meanings of the Qur'an) of the Ayah (Qur'anic verse).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.