CELEBRATING THE NIGHT OF AL-ISRA WAL-MI’RAJ
The Prophet’s overnight Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, then to Heaven then back to Makkah
Celebrating the night of Isrá’ or Mi ‘raj on the twenty-seventh night of Rajab is yet another Bid ‘ah that pertains to this month. They designate special acts of worship during that night and recite specific types of Du’a ” remembering of Alláh and prayer. All these acts are being practiced without authority from Alláh.
There are several reasons why it is Bid’ah to designate the twenty seventh night of Rajab to celebrate the night of Isrá ‘ or Mi ‘raj.
l. There is no proof that Isrá’ occurred in the month of Rajab or the twenty-seventh night of that month, for the scholars have conflicting opinions regarding when it actually occurred. Therefore, designating a specific night to celebrate Al-Isrá’ wal-Mi ‘raj does not rely on valid evidence.
2. Even if the night of Isrá’ was known using valid evidence, we are not allowed to invent an act of worship that Alláh and His Messenger(pbuh) did not allow. The Prophet(pbuh) was not reported to have ever celebrated the night of Isrá’ or designated certain acts of worship during it, nor did the Rightly Guided Caliphs, the rest of the Companions or those who followed their way and path celebrate it. Therefore, no one who came after them is allowed to invent an act of worship that they did not practice.
3. There are many types of evil that are being practiced during the night of Isrá ” as evident by the following part of a book about the harmful effects of Bid ‘ah. The author of Al-Ibdá’ for Madharri Al-Ibtida wrote, “People have become creative in the types of evils and Bid’ah that they practice during the celebration of the night of Isra’. They have invented many acts of worship such as gathering in the mosques, lighting candles and lamps in them and around the minarets and spending in extravagance on these festivities.” He next wrote, “How good it is the way and method that the Righteous Salaf practiced, for they were active and energetic concerning imitating the Sunnah of the Messenger of Alláh(pbuh) and refraining from the smallest contradiction of his practices. They believed that contradicting the Prophet’s Sunnah was a heresy; this better way (against Bid’ah) was especially prevalent during the time of the Companions and those who came after them among the first three generations whose righteousness was asserted (by the Messenger), may Alláh be pleased with them all.”
It is amazing to see those who might not perform the five daily prayers attend the celebration for the night of Isrá’, or if they pray, they do not attend the prayer in congregation in the mosque. They are active when the Bid’ah is practiced and lazy when it is time to perform the obligations and Sunnah!
O Alláh’s slaves! Bid’ah is to invent novelties in the religion and constitutes a modification that adds to its regulations and restraints on which time, effort and great wealth are being spent. However, all that the Bid’ah does is bring one closer to the Fire and far from Paradise, in addition to earning him or her Alláhs anger and punishment. Yet, people of ignorance and misguidance do not seem to understand, for they are still wandering blindly in their misguidance. Their efforts only take them farther from Alláh and their striving (in resurrecting Bid ‘ah) brings them more of His Anger.
“Some faces, that Day will be humiliated (in the Hell-fire). Laboring (hard in the worldly life by worshipping others besides Alláh), weary (in the Hereafter with humility and disgrace). They will enter in the hot blazing Fire. They will be given to drink from a boiling spring. No food will be there for them but a poisonous thorny plant. Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger.” (88:2-7)
May Alláh direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Qur’án and benefit us all in whatever is in it of the Áyat and Wise Dhikr. I say this and ask Alláh the Great, Most Honored for forgiveness for me, you and all Muslims for every sin. Invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
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