SHAB E MIRAJ (THE NIGHT JOURNEY)
The Night Journey, also known as Shab e Miraj, Isra and Miraj or Al Isra wal Miraj, is observed on the 27th day of the month of Rajab (7th month of Islamic Calendar). Shab e Miraj literally translates to “The Night of Ascent”. This event celebrates the night when the Prophet (S.A.W.) ascended to the Heavens from Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah. One of the great gifts of this night was that obligatory Prayer (Fardh Salah) was instituted on Muslims. Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj (the Night Journey & Ascension) is a miracle second only to the revelation of the Qur’an, and it is therefore important that we don’t let this night slip by without reflecting on its lessons and its significance.
Background
Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj took place during a time when the Prophet (saw) was facing intense hardship and pain. The Quraysh, who were his tribe and his family, constantly ridiculed, humiliated and oppressed the Prophet (saw) and his followers. Moreover, the Prophet (saw) had just faced the Year of Sorrow (’Aam al-Huzn), during which he (saw) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (ra), and his uncle Abu Talib, who was his protector and ally.
This miraculous journey of Miraj took place in two parts. First, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) went from Makkah (Kaaba) to Jerusalem (Masjid Al-Aqsa) and then he (S.A.W.) was ascension to the heavens by Allah.
AL-ISRA’: FROM THE KA’BAH TO AL-AQSA
When the Prophet (saw) was sleeping in the house of Umm Hani (ra) in Makkah he said, ‘the roof of my house was opened and the Angel Jibril [as] descended’ (Bukhari). Scholars reconciling between various narrations, say the Prophet (saw) was then taken to the Hijr, the semi-circular wall of the Ka‘bah, where the Prophet (saw) said that Jibril (as), ‘opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith, and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it’. [Bukhari]
The Prophet (saw) continued, ‘I was then brought a white beast which is called al-Buraq [from the Arabic word barq, meaning lightning], bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. Its stride was as long as the eye could reach’. [Muslim]
It is narrated by Anas (ra) that Buraq was ‘saddled and reined, but he shied from him (saw). So Jibril [as] said to him, “Is it from Muhammad [saw] that you do this? For nobody has ridden you who is more honourable to Allah than him!” He said, “Then he started sweating profusely”’. [Tirmidhi]
At several points along the journey, Jibra’eel (as) stopped Buraq and told the Prophet (saw), ‘Dismount and pray’. The first stop was at ‘the place of emigration’ i.e. Madinah – and soon after this night the Prophet (saw) would meet the Ansar and migrate to Madinah. The second stop was at Mount Sinai, where Allah (swt) revealed the Torah to Musa (as). The third stop was at Bethlehem, where ’Isa (as) was born.
The fourth stop was the grave of Musa (as), ‘I happened to pass by Musa [as] on the night of my Night journey by the red sandhill whilst he was standing praying in his grave’ (Muslim). We know that his grave is located, ‘a stone’s throw’ away from the holy land of the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa (Bukhari). This incident clearly shows us an example of what the Messenger of Allah (saw) said about Prophets (as) after they pass away that, ‘The Prophets are alive in their graves praying’ (Abu Ya‘la).
On reaching Masjid Al-Aqsa, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) realized that all the other Prophets, who came before him, were already present there. These Prophets include Ibrahim (A.S.), Isa (A.S.), Musa (A.S.) and all other Prophets. Over here Mohammad (S.A.W.) led all of the Prophets in two Rakat prayer.
Following this, the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Then I came out and Jibril (as) brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. Then I chose the milk, and Jibril (as) said, “You have chosen the natural state (Fitrah)”’ (Muslim).
PROPHET’S ASCENSION TO HEAVENS
In the second part of Isra and Miraj, Jibrael (A.S.) took the Prophet (S.A.W.) to the heavens. Through his ascension, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stopped by the all seven layers of the heaven/sky. Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) met the following great Prophets on each heaven:
1. On the first heaven, Prophet Adam (A.S.)
2. On the second heaven, Prophet Isa (A.S.) and Prophet Yahya (A.S.) [Prophet Jesus and Prophet John]
3. On the third heaven, Prophet Yusuf (A.S.) [Prophet Joseph]
4. On the fourth heaven, Prophet Idris (A.S.) [Prophet Enoch]
5. On the fifth heaven, Prophet Haroon (A.S.) [Prophet Aaron]
6. On the sixth heaven, Prophet Musa (A.S.) [Prophet Moses]
7. On the seventh heaven, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) [Prophet Abraham]
(Ref: Sahih Bukhari 3207)
BAIT AL-MA’MUR AND SIDRAT AL-MUNTAHA
The Prophet (S.A.W.) then was shown Al-Bait Al-Ma’mur (Allah’s House on top of all heavens). Upon inquiring about this place, Jibrael (A.S) told Prophet (S.A.W.),
“This is Al Bait- Al-Ma’mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and who attends it and will never be able to again attend this blessing.” (Sahih Bukhari: 3207)
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was carried to Sidrat Al-Muntaha (a large Lote Tree which marks the end of heavens). Sidrat Al-Muntaha is the boundary which no creation of Allah can pass. Jibrael (A.S.) stopped at this tree whereas Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) is the only being who is allowed by Allah to pass this boundary.
THE PROPHET(S.A.W) IN THE PRESENCE OF ALLAH
After the Prophet (S.A.W.) crossed Sidrat Al-Muntaha, he (S.A.W.) was then presented to the Divine Presence and got the closest possible nearness to Allah but Prophet (S.A.W.) did not see Allah with his eyes. The same is also evident from the following hadith:
It was narrated that Aishah (R.A.) said: “If anyone tells you that Mohammad (S.A.W.) has seen his Lord, he is a liar, for Allah says: ‘No vision can grasp Him.’ (Surah Al-An’am 6:103)” (Sahih Bukhari: 7380)
GIFT OF FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
During the Divine Presence of Allah, Prophet (S.A.W.) was ordained 50 daily prayers for him and his Ummah. After receiving this order from Allah, Prophet (S.A.W.) returned and on his way back but Prophet Musa (A.S.) advised him to ask Allah to reduce the number because the Muslim Ummah would not be able to perform such a large number of prayers. Prophet (S.A.W.) went again and again to Almighty Allah till the prayers were reduced to five only but Allah Has promised his beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) that the reward from Allah of these five Prayers for His slaves will be equal to fifty prayers (SubhanAllah).
The main Gifts that muslim get from the holiday of Isra and Miraj, as received by the Messenger of Allah(S.A.W) are:
i). Five Daily Prayers – (Sahih Bukhari: 7517)
ii). Concluding verses of Surah Al-Baqarah(Last two Verses)
iii). Allah’s promise that the sins of the ummah of Mohammad(S.A.W) would be forgiven except those who died associating partners with Allah.
JANNAH(PARADISE) AND JAHANNAM (HELL) SHOWN TO THE PROPHET(SAW)
During this journey of Miraj, the Prophet (S.A.W.) was also taken to Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell) by Angel Jibrael (A.S.). During this visit, the Prophet (S.A.W.) saw the blessing which will be received by the inhabitants of paradise but also saw the tortures and torments which will be inflected on the people who will enter hell.
THE PROPHET(SAW) BACK IN MAKKAH
After completing his journey, Prophet (S.A.W.) mounted on Al-Buraq and returned to Makkah. The Shab e Miraj took place during one night.
Next morning, the Prophet (S.A.W.) went to Masjid Al-Haram and told people about his journey. The disbelievers found this situation suitable to humiliate the believers. They knew that Prophet (S.A.W.) had never been to Masjid Al-Aqsa so they asked him about its description. Disbelievers were amazed with the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) answer and exact description of the Mosque. They said to the Prophet (S.A.W.): “By God, you perfectly and correctly described it.” Nevertheless, they still did not embrace Islam and asked for more proofs.
When a group of disbelievers told Abu Bakr (R.A.) about the situation, he (R.A.) said to them, “If Prophet (S.A.W.) said this, then it is undoubtedly true.” This shows Abu Bakr’s true belief and due to this incident, Abu Bakr (R.A.) was given the title of “As-Siddiq (the Truthful)” by the Prophet (S.A.W.).
CONCLUSION
Al Isra wal Miraj holds great significance to the muslim ummah across the globe. It is considered one of the most sacred miracles of Allah, which he bestowed upon Prophet Mohammad(SAW) alone.
This journey was never celebrated by the Prophet(SAW) but it holds significant importance to muslims and should be celebrated by asking Allah for his blessings, helpy the less fortunate in society and doing good deeds in society which Allah and his Messenger(SAW) have advised/taught us to do.
Source: Islamicfinder and Muslim Hands
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