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How did the Night Journey become connected with the five daily prayers in Islam?

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Medina, Saudi Arabia: Prophet's Mosque — Muhammad The Prophet's Mosque, showing the green dome built above the tomb of Muhammad, Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The connection between the Night Journey and the five daily prayers is established through the Miʿrāj, or the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension into heaven, which is traditionally linked to the Isrāʾ.

During this ascension, Muhammad traveled through the seven levels of heaven until he reached the throne of God. Upon appearing before God, Muhammad was instructed to perform the ṣalāt (ritual prayer) 50 times each day. According to the tradition, the prophet Mūsā (Moses) advised Muhammad that this requirement would be too difficult for his followers to maintain. Consequently, Muhammad pleaded with God for a reduction, and the obligation was eventually lowered to the five daily prayers observed by Muslims today.1