Miraç Kandili – Muhammed Rises to Heaven
The word miraç in Arabic translates as ladder, to go up or rise. Muslims believe that on the night of Miraç Kandili the Prophet Muhammed was taken from the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to the Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and from there passed into heaven via Sidretul Munteha, which even the Angel Gabriel could not enter. Sidretul Munteha is a tree that marks the end of the seventh and final of the heavens conceived of in Islam. Every heaven is believed to be composed of a specific material, and a different prophet resides in each one. The seventh one is made up of a divine light incomprehensible to mortals.
According to legend, the Prophet was offered three cups to drink from, one of wine, one of honey and one of milk. He chose to drink the milk, a tradition which continues throughout Anatolia on the night of Miraç Kandili. Milk is drunk and offered, sometimes along with dessert. In Konya, the night is called Milk Night. After the Prophet Muhammed was accepted by Allah he prayed five times.
In short, Miraç Kandili is understood as the night the Prophet ascended into the presence of Allah. At this time Allah is bountiful and bestows believers with gifts, miracles and good deeds.
This year Miraç Kandili falls exactly one year after the devastating earthquakes that destroyed Antakya and other parts of south east Turkey in 2023. Please take a moment to read my post about how you can help victims of the TURKEY EARTHQUAKE 2023. Together we are strong.
Learn about the other kandil in the Muslim calendar here or share the journey that led me to call Turkey home in Istanbul Dreams: Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom. You can also buy copies directly from me in Istanbul or at Mephisto, Homer or Minoa bookstores.
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Planning to come to Istanbul or Turkey? Here are my helpful tips for planning your trip.
For FLIGHTS I like to use Kiwi.com.
Don’t pay extra for an E-VISA. Here’s my post on everything to know before you take off.
However E-SIM are the way to go to stay connected with a local phone number and mobile data on the go. Airalo is easy to use and affordable.
Even if I never claim on it, I always take out TRAVEL INSURANCE. I recommend Visitors Coverage.
I’m a big advocate of public transport, but know it’s not suitable for everyone all the time. When I need to be picked up from or get to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, I use one of these GetYourGuide website AIRPORT TRANSFERS.
ACCOMMODATION: When I want to find a place to stay I use Booking.com.
CITY TOURS & DAY TRIPS: Let me guide you around Kadikoy with my audio walking tour Stepping back through Chalcedon or venture further afield with my bespoke guidebook Istanbul 50 Unsung Places. I know you’ll love visiting the lesser-known sites I’ve included. It’s based on using public transport as much as possible so you won’t be adding too much to your carbon footprint. Then read about what you’ve seen and experienced in my three essay collections and memoir about moving to Istanbul permanently.
Browse the GetYourGuide website or Viator to find even more ways to experience Istanbul and Turkey with food tours, visits to the old city, evening Bosphorus cruises and more!
However you travel, stay safe and have fun! Iyi yolculuklar.
