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Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj - Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Al-Israa’
and Al-Mi’raj
Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Shaykh Ashraf Salah
Dear Muslims:
The event of
Israa’ and Mi’raj is recorded in the Holy Quran and the hadith of the Prophet
(PBUH). It is the miraculous night journey of our Noble Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), which consists of two phases. Phase one covers his trip from Makkah to Jerusalem , known as Al-Israa’, and phase two covers his
ascent from Jerusalem
Some authors refer
to the year in which this event is recorded as the “Year of Sorrow”. It was the
year in which Muhammad (PBUH) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RAA) and his dear
uncle, Abu Talib, who had nurtured him as a child and protected him when he was
proclaimed a Prophet. During this same year, the Prophet (PBUH) went to the
city of Ta’if
Due to these three
events, Muhammad (PBUH) was very sad, but Allah (SWT) had a superb plan to
relieve His Chosen Messenger from his distress, as is stated in the following
verse, “Glorified and Exalted be He (Allah) who took His servant for a journey
by night from the Sacred Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram) to the Far Away Mosque
(Masjid Al-Aqsa), which surroundings We blessed, in order that We might show
him some of Our signs. For He (Allah) is the One, Who hears and sees
everything.” (17:1). This ayah (verse) refers to Al-Israa, the journey from
Makkah to Jerusalem
Dear Muslims:
In the Hadith of
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Abu Dhar narrated the event of Al-Mi’raj or Ascension, as
described by the Apostle of Allah (PBUH). Abu Dhar narrated as follows: The
Prophet (PBUH) was at Makkah and the angel Jibrael (Gabriel) descended through
the roof, opened his chest, washed it with zam-zam water, filled it with wisdom
and faith and then closed it. He (PBUH) was then taken by Jibrael to the
nearest heaven, where Jibrael was asked by the gatekeeper: “Jibrael, is there
anyone with you?” He answered that Muhammad (PBUH) was with him. Again he asked
“Has he been called?” And Jibrael answered in the affirmative. The gate was
then opened and they entered the nearest heaven, where they saw a man sitting
with a large number of people on his right, and also on his left. When he
looked on his right, he laughed and when he looked at his left he wept. Then he
said: “Welcome! O Pious Prophet and Pious Son.” The Prophet inquired from
Jibrael whom the man was and Jibrael informed him that he was Adam and the
people around d him was his offspring. Those on his right were the people of Paradise and on his left, the people of Hell.
They then traveled
to the second heaven. Here Jibrael was asked the same questions as before and
he gave the same response and so the gate was opened. Anas reported that Abu
Dhar added that the Prophet (PBUH) met Adam, Idris (Enoch), Musa (Moses), ‘Isa
(Jesus) and Ibrahim (Abraham). Each of these prophets welcomed Muhammad (PBUH)
and Jibrael identified each of them.
Ibn Abbas (RAA)
and Abu Habba Al-Ansari (RAA) reported the Prophet (PBUH) also said that
Jibrael ascended with him to a place, where he heard the creaking of pens.
Allah (SWT) prescribed fifty Salat on his followers. When he returned with this
order from Allah (SWT), he passed by Musa, who inquired, “What has Allah
enjoined on your followers?” He replied, “He has enjoined fifty Salat on them.”
Musa advised him to go back and appeal for a reduction because his followers
would not be able to bear it. So he went back to Allah (SWT), a few times, and
appealed for a reduction until it was reduced to five per day, and Allah (SWT)
said, “These are five Salat (prayers) and they are all equal to fifty in
reward, for My Word does not change.” He (PBUH) returned to Musa, who advised
him to seek a further reduction, but he said he felt shy to ask again.
After this, he was
taken by Jibrael to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (lote tree of the utmost boundary) which
was shrouded in colors that are indescribable. He was then admitted into Paradise , where he saw a wall made of pearls and its
earth made of musk (perfume).
Dear
Muslims:
Two vessels of gold were brought to the
Prophet (PBUH), one full with milk and the other with wine. Jibreel (PBUH)
asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to choose either of them. He selected the
vessel containing milk and drank it. Jibreel (PBUH) said: “You have been guided
on al-Fitrah (the pure instinct inborn in every child, which recognizes Allah
(SWT) and leads to the belief in Allah's Oneness) and you have attained
al-Fitrah. Had you selected the wine, your nation would have been mislead.”
[al-Bukhari].
Imam an-Nawawi said that the reply of
Jibreel (PBUH): “You chose al-Fitrah” meant that the Prophet (PBUH) chose the
religion of Islam, i.e. “You have chosen the emblem of Islam and Istiqamah
(being steadfast on the Straight Path). The milk was a sign because it is easy
to drink, good and tasty, while wine is “the mother of all evil” and a cause
for cruel acts”. It is a symbolic way to saying that good and evil were brought
before the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and he instinctively made a choice for the
good.
Dear
Muslims:
The 'Night Journey' raised a good deal
of stir among the people and the sceptical audience plied Muhammad (PBUH) with
all sorts of questions. He (PBUH) told them that he saw the camels of Makkan
merchants. He also guided them to some of their animals that went astray. He
(PBUH) informed them that he had drunk some of their water while they were fast
asleep and left the container covered.
The disbelievers,
however, found it a suitable opportunity to jeer at the Muslims and their
creed. They pestered the Prophet (PBUH) with questions as to the description of the
Mosque at Jerusalem
For the true
Muslims, however there was nothing unusual about the Night Journey. The
All-Mighty Allah, Who is Powerful enough to have created the heavens and the
earth by an act of His Will, is surely Powerful enough to take His Messenger
beyond the heavens and show him those signs of His at firsthand which are
inaccessible to man otherwise. The disbelievers on their part went to see Abu
Bakr (RAA) on account of this event, and he readily said: "Yes, I do
verify it." It was on this occasion that he earned the title of As-Siddiq
(the verifier of the truth).
Dear Brothers And Sisters In Islam:
As we contemplate
on the occurrences of this remarkable night, we can conclude that Allah (SWT)
had a very good reason for Muhammad (PBUH) to be transported from Makkah to
Jerusalem and then to the Seven Heavens.
Dear Muslims:
There is a
profound lesson that we can draw from the night journey and ascension. First
and foremost it shows us the need for strong faith and perserverance. During a time when it seemed like the known
world was lashing out against the new Muslim community, Allah (SWT) blessed His
Messenger with a glimpse of bounties never before seen or imagined. Moreover,
it is a binding lesson of loyalty and fortitude. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) saw
the riches and wonders of Paradise with his
own eyes. He met with the greatest prophets and had a transcending discourse
with the Most High, Himself. Despite this, not once did he have reluctance
about returning to our world and fulfilling his mission. The well-being of the
Ummah remained top priority in his mind. If any of us were even promised Paradise , let alone given glimpses of it, would we come
back to this world and fulfill our mission? Many of us do not even know if we
will attain Paradise , yet we have already
given up on the mission.
We will not
succeed until we can place the needs of the Ummah above our own wants and
desires in order to fulfil the mission. It is the mission of the Prophets. It
is a mission ordained by Allah (SWT).
May
Allah (SWT) help us to do whatever pleases Him, bless, guide and forgive us
all. (Ameen).
