Gümülcine Mufti Ibrahim Serif issues message for Isra and Mi’raj Night
The Mufti of Komotini (Gümülcine), Ibrahim Serif, has issued a written message on the occasion of Isra and Mi’raj Night (Miraç Kandili), which will be observed on the night connecting Thursday, January 15 to Friday, January 16, 2026.
Addressing the Muslim Turkish community, Mufti Serif emphasized that the Mi’raj is one of the most significant miracles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), occurring approximately one and a half years before the Hijra. He described Mi’raj as a sacred and divine journey in which the Prophet ascended to the highest spiritual realms by the will of God.
According to the Mufti’s message, on the Night of Mi’raj, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), accompanied by the Angel Gabriel, was taken first to Al-Aqsa Mosque and then through the heavens to Sidrat al-Muntaha, where he was shown the mysteries of the divine realm. He cited verse 17:1 of the Qur’an (Surah Al-Isra), which describes the beginning of this miraculous journey.
Mufti Serif underlined that Mi’raj, as a miracle, cannot be explained through human reasoning alone but must be approached with faith and spiritual insight. He stressed that, as with all prophetic miracles, Mi’raj serves as a source of inspiration that broadens humanity’s spiritual horizon.
A central theme of the message was the five daily prayers, which Mufti Serif described as a divine gift bestowed upon the Muslim community on the Night of Mi’raj. He emphasized that prayer is the cornerstone of Islam, a direct spiritual bond between the believer and God, and a means of moral purification, citing verse 29:45 of the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ankabut).
The Mufti called on believers to view Isra and Mi’raj Night as an opportunity for repentance, worship, prayer, and supplication—not only for personal forgiveness but also for the peace and well-being of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, the Islamic world, and all humanity.
He also noted that the Mufti’s Office has organized special programs in mosques across Komotini and surrounding villages, including Yenice Mahalle, Narlıköy, Domruköy, Işıklar, Çelebiköy, Çiftlik, and Güvendik village in the Evros region, to observe the holy night collectively.
Concluding his message, Mufti Ibrahim Serif prayed that this blessed night would strengthen unity, solidarity, peace, and harmony, and extended his congratulations to all Muslims on the occasion of Isra and Mi’raj Night.
