May 2 isra miraj (1)

isra wal mi'raj - the miraculous night journey

1. ISRA AND MI’RAJ : THE MIRACULOUS NIGHT JOURNEY

2. The  Isra and Mi'raj   are the two parts of a Night Journey  that, according to Islamic tradition, the prophet of Islam, Muhammad took during a single night around the year 621. It has been described as both a physical and spiritual journey .A brief sketch of the story is in  sura   17 Al- Isra of the  Quran,and other details come from the  Hadith , collections of the reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of Muhammad.

3. In the  Isra   pa rt of the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed  Buraq   to " the farthest mosque " where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then ascends to heaven in the  Mi‘ raj   journey where he speaks to Allah, who gives Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayer.

4. Glory be to Him, Who transported His Servant one night from the Masjid-i-Haram to Masjid Al Aqsa , whose surroundings We have blessed, so that we might show him some of Our Signs; the fact is that He alone is All-Hearing and All-Seeing. Surah Isra

5. 1233 km ISRA

6. In perspective… Aam ul Huzn - Death of his Wife Khadijah and Uncle Abu Talib . Unsuccessful trip to Taif – Incident of Taif was the most difficult one in his life. Prophet (S) shows humility and forgiveness to people of Taif and turns towards Allah for dua . To show Prophet (S) the Great Signs of Allah.

7. The Pure Heart of Prophet (S.A) The Prophet(S) ’s chest was cleft open by Jibraeel (as), his heart extracted and washed with the water of Zamzam in a golden bowl. He filled it with “ Imaan ” – knowledge, forbearance, wisdom, faith and conviction.

8. The Buraaq Buraaq was presented as a ride. Buraaq is derived from the word " bareeq " which means "white " in Arabic. According to another view, its origin lies in the word " barq " which means " lightning ", the speed of which is well-known; hence the name  Buraaq . It was bigger than a donkey but smaller than mule.

9. Prayer in Jerusalem He became the leader of all the Prophets and led them in prayer.

10. The Bowl of Milk “I prayed two rak’ahs in Al- Aqsa Mosque and then went out, and Jibreel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Jibreel said, ‘You have chosen the natural thing.’” (Muslim) The Prophet’s choice emphasizes fitrah or pure nature.

11. 4 stops during Isra 1- Medina- Prophet offered prayer here. He was told that he will migrate to this place 2- Toor Sinai- This is the place where Musa(AS) talked to Allah (SWT) 3- Bethlehem- This is the place where Isa or Jesus (AS) was borne. 4-Jerusalem- ( Baitul Maqdis )- Buraq’s journey ended here.

12. Ascension to the Heavens The doors of the heavens became apparent to Prophet (S) which were closed. Guardian angels asked who is there. Gabriel told his name. He was asked who is with him? He said, "Mohammad (SAW)” He was asked,” Is he invited?” He answered, “Yes”. Then the door was opened and he was welcomed .

13. MI’RAJ

14. First Heaven   Prophet ( SA) saw a man sitting. He was told this is your father Adam . He greeted him with Salaam and Adam answered him with Salaam. Then he said, “Welcome my virtuous son and virtuous Nabi ” He had some people on right side and when he looked at them he smiled. When he looked on people on his left side he would cry. Prophet was told, on his right side are people of Jannah and on his left side are people of Hellfire. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI YUSUF as NABI IDRIS as NABI ISA as dan NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as

15. Prophet (S) greeted Isa(as) and Yahya (as) with Salaam and they replied back with Salaam. Then they said, “Welcome our righteous brother and Nabi .” Second Heaven   NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI YUSUF as NABI IDRIS as NABI ISA as & YAHYA as NABI ADAM as

16. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI YUSUF as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as dan NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ Third Heaven Prophet (S) met Nabi Yusuf (as) here. He greeted him with Salaam and he replied with Salaam. He said, “Welcome to pious brother and Nabi .” Prophet (S) said,” He is most beautiful in the creatures of Allah. His distinction in beauty is like the distinction of moon amongst the stars.”( Tabrani )

17. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ Fourth Heaven Prophet (SA) greeted Idris (as) with Salaam and he replied back with Salaam. Then he said, “Welcome my righteous brother and Nabi .”

18. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ Fifth Heaven Prophet (SA) greeted Harun (as) with Salaam and he replied back with Salaam. Then he said, “Welcome my righteous brother and Nabi .”

19. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ Prophet (SA) greeted him with Salaam and he replied with Salaam. Then he said, “Welcome to my righteous brother and Nabi ”. When the Prophet proceeded, he started crying. When asked why he cried. Musa (as) replied that a Prophet came after me. His followers will be more in Jannah than my followers. I feel sorry for them. They did not follow me like the followers of Mohammad (S). Sixth Heaven

20. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as and NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ Seventh Heaven Prophet (S) greeted him with salaam and he replied with salaam. He said, “Welcome to my righteous son and Nabi .” Ibrahim(as) said, “O Muhammad! Convey my salaam to your Ummah and inform them that undoubtedly the soil of Jannah is pure, its water is sweet.” Ibrahim (as) wants us to know the beauty of Jannah . 

21. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ BAIT AL-MA’MUR Bait Al Ma’mour Bait ul Mamour (the much frequented house) which is like the Kabah on this earth (including the Hateem area) Bait Al Mamour is encompassed daily by 70,000 angels, so that the angels who once encompassed it would not have their turn again till the Resurrection.

22. Sidratul Muntahaa The word " Sidrah  " in Arabic means "a lote tree  “. While " Al- Muntahaa  " denotes " furthest place” or “ending”. It is the last frontier. End of creation. The leaves are like elephant ears and its fruit like big earthenware vessels. It is decorated with golden butterflies, colors of the tree cannot be described and kept on changing. Allah says ﴿لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى ﴾  Four rivers originated at its root, 2 are in this world (Nile and Euphrates) and 2 in Paradise. Roots and trunk start in the sixth heaven and branches finish in the seventh heaven.

23. NABI IBRAHIM as NABI MUSA as NABI HARUN as NABI IDRIS as NABI YUSUF as NABI ISA as NABI YAHYA as NABI ADAM as MI’RAJ BAIT AL-MA’MUR SIDRAT AL-MUNTAHA

24. The Keeper of Jahannam Malik came upto the seventh heaven to meet Prophet (S) and said salam to Prophet (S), and Prophet (S) replied back. He had a cheerless frowning face . When he asked Jibraeel   (as) who this angel was, he replied, " This is Malik , the keeper of Jahannam . If he were ever to smile at anyone before or after you, he would certainly have smiled when meeting you. But (truly) he does not smile at all”. Malik has nineteen angels under his command to oversee Jahanam ( Al Muddathir:30 )

25. Jibreel (as) in his T rue Form Prophet (S) saw Jibraeel (as) in his original form there. He encompassed the whole horizon. He had 600 wings. Corals and Pearls were dripping form the feathers of Jibreel (as).

26. The Divine Meeting Someone caused Prophet (S) to ascend [not Jibreel (as)] Prophet (S) could hear the sound of pen writing. The Pen was the very first of creation. Allah told the pen to write everything from the beginning of creation to the end of the world.

27. Gifts from Allah ( swt ) The last two verses of Surah Baqarah . Promise of forgiveness for those who never committed any Shirk. The G reatest   Gift was the gift of Salah .   The importance of this great gift the Prophet (S) was called personally to the heavens and beyond to receive this injunction, whereas most other injunctions were given on earth via  Jibreel (as). Moreover, the fact that Jibraeel (as) descended the very next day after Mi'raj to teach Prophet (S) the finer points of the method of salah , highlights it's importance.

28. River of Kausar While  walking in Jannah , Prophet (S) suddenly found himself along a river . the banks of which are golden, it flows on rubies and corals and emeralds and pearls and diamonds instead of pebbles, its earth smells sweeter than musk, its water is whiter than milk, cooler than snow, and sweeter than honey, On the Day of Judgement , the water jugs set at it will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, the one who drinks from it would never thirst; and the one who is deprived of it will never have his thirst satisfied. 

29. House of Perfume in Jannah The Prophet smelled a sweet perfume from a house in Jannah . He asked Jibreal (as) about it. It was a house of a woman whose duty was to comb Pharaoh's daughter's hair. She was a good, pious believer. Pharaoh demanded this woman leave Islam, but she refused. The Pharaoh killed her and her children in boiling oil. She died a martyr. The house was her high status in Paradise.

30. Admonitions and Punishments Witnessed Teaching without practicing:    " lips were being slit with scissors of fire- they are the khateebs who command people to do good deeds while forgetting their own  selves”. Slandering:     " people who had fingernails of copper and they were raking their own faces and chests with them."  Consuming Interest:   " people with bellies as huge as houses (in which people stay) and inside their bellies were snakes which were visible from the outside .“ F ornication and Adultery :    "   These people were eating the decayed meat and leaving the cooked meat untouched .“  Abusing peoples trust:   "   A man who was struggling to carry a very large bundle of wood which he was unable to bear, yet he wanted to carry even more . “ W itholding Zakaat :   " They were eating  Daree '(a thorny plant of the fire of Jahannam ) and Zaqqoom ( a most bitter and foul smelling tree growing at the bottom of Jahannam ) and the smouldering stones of Jahannam ."

31. All these punishments were shown to Prophet (S) so that he may warn mankind to abandon sin and transgression  and encourage mankind to obedience and goodness. Admonitions and Punishments Witnessed

32. Return to Makkah He returned to Makkah on Buraq . He told whole story to his cousin Umm Hani. She asked him not to tell the people since they will not believe him and ridicule him. He left the house saying that he will tell them.

33. Next Day… Facing Abu Jahl in Kaaba he told him the story. Abu Jahl called and gathered a crowd, and Prophet told them the same story . The people came to the Prophet(S) and asked him to describe the details of Baitul Maqdis . Prophet (S) said "When the people of Quraish did not believe me, I stood up in Al- Hijr and Allah displayed Jerusalem in front of me, and I began describing it to them while I was looking at it." Prophet (S) also supplied them with all the news about their caravans and the routes of their camels. He also described a caravan looking for its lost camels. When this caravan arrived they confirmed this.

34. Strength of a Believer The disbelievers went to see Abu Bakr ( ra ), 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). He said if Allah can send an angel to Prophet (S) every day, He can also call Prophet (S) to visit the Heavens too. The lesson for us, the Muslims, is that if it is in the Qur’an or reported authentically as a Sunnah , then we should believe in it, and act upon it.

35. A Physical Journey The Prophet (S) took this journey in a fully conscious state of mind, with body and soul, flesh and blood. The fact that disbelievers denied and made fun of it, is enough to prove that Prophet (S) told them he took this journey physically.

36. When did all this happen? Prevalent opinion of later scholars is that it falls on 27 th Rajab. Other opinions; Shawal – 12 th year of Prophethood ( Tabari ) 17 th Ramadan – 12 th year of Prophethood ( Ibn Sa’ad ) 17 th Ramadan – 13 th year of Prophethood ( Baihaqi ) There is no hadeeth to establish the date of Isra Al Miraj . Nor are there any narrations from any companions about any specific date. Prophet (S) and his companions did not single out this event nor did they celebrate it any way.

37. How do we celebrate Isra Al Miraj Celebrate it 5 times a day by offering Salah – the Greatest Gift from Allah (SWT). Instead of Halwa , drink milk and follow the Sunnah . Strengthen our Imaan and character with obedience to Allah ( SWT). Abandon sin and keep away from what is disliked by Allah. Work towards our real goal – i.e. Jannah . Constantly remind ourselves that this Dunya is a testing ground. Show patience in the face of adversity and kindness to oppressors , following the example of Prophet (S).