Meraj & Isra – The Ascension and Night Journey

The month of Rajab is most famous for the incident of the night journey and ascension of Prophet to the heavens, in Arabic known as Al-Isra wal Mi’raj.

The exact date of this journey is unknown, however some Islamic scholars state that it took place in the month of Rajab. Al-Isra refers to Prophet SAW’s journey to Jerusalem where he led all the previous prophets in prayer, and Mi’raj refers to his journey to the heavens.

This miraculous journey is very significant and has a direct impact on the daily lives of Muslims. It was during this journey that our Prophet had the glimpses of wonders of paradise and torture of hellfire and was granted the gift of Salah (obligatory prayers). Apart from these, there are many other lessons that we can learn from it, the main one being to reinforce our reliance on Allah SWT.

Life of Prophet Muhammad before Isra and Mi’raj

According to the majority of reports, the journey took place roughly about the end of the ninth year or the early part of the tenth year after the beginning of revelation. These were difficult times for the Prophet , for despite devoting all his time inviting people towards Islam, only a handful had responded to his call. Leaders of Makkah were brutal in their aggressive tactics against Islam and their persecution of the Prophet’s companions was unrelenting.

During this time, the Prophet had two main supporters: his wife, Khadijah RA, who was a source of constant emotional, moral and financial support for him; and his uncle Abu Talib, who although never embracing Islam himself, was the source of protection for the Prophet within the Quraysh community.

Khadija RA was a pillar of support for the Prophet during the first years of revelation. She was the first woman who embraced Islam, and gave her unconditional, unquestioning and unwavering support to him in his efforts to spread the message. She was a very noble and dignified person and the Prophet SAW often turned to her for wisdom and counsel. He frequently relied on her insight and opinions, which time and time again proved to be correct.

It is a known fact that she was one of the wealthiest business-owners in the Arabian Peninsula when she married the Prophet SAW. Less known is that she subsequently sacrificed all her wealth in the path of Allah SWT and passed away destitute.

So outstanding was her moral character that before she died, she received the glad tidings of her abode in Paradise. Very few people in the history of Islam have been honoured such an accolade by Allah SWT Himself.

Therefore, her death, after twenty five happy years of marriage, left a devastating impact on her husband. It created a void in his heart that no one was able to replace since. Even years after her death, the Prophet used to grieve over her loss and recount her outstanding faith and support for him.

The death of Khadija was shortly followed by the death of Abu Talib. While Abu Talib never embraced Islam, he granted protection to the Prophet SAW from persecution. The Quraysh observed a strict societal hierarchy and abided by strong codes of conduct. Given Abu Talib’s highly respected status within the community, the Quraysh refrained from harming the Prophet SAW while Abu Talib was still alive. With Abu Talib’s death, the sanctuary over Rasulullah SAW against the tyranny of the Quraysh came to an abrupt end.

With no one left to support or grant him protection, the small Muslim community was exposed to the persecution of the Quraysh as never before. The Prophet SAW was, for the first time since the start of the revelations, all alone. All means of physical, financial and emotional support had been stripped from him, and his own birthplace had become dangerous territory.

At the invitation of the residents of Taif, a town some distance away, the Prophet SAW went there to preach the message of Islam and to seek asylum from the Makkan oppressors. However it turned out to be an ambush. Instead of finding a more hospitable atmosphere, the children and mentally disabled amongst the community of Taif were made up to line up and hurl rocks and stones to him. The shocking treatment that he received there turned out to be even worse than his hometown that rejected him. The population mocked, attacked and chased him out of town, but even as he was bruised and bleeding, Rasulullah SAW only faulted himself for his shortcomings and prayed for the townspeople and their descendants to be granted forgiveness and guidance.

Ridiculed by society and with multiple accusations of being a liar, possessed, and a madman, hurled at him, he had no one to share his burdens with. It is understandable that this turbulent period of his life was referred to as the Year of Sadness or ‘Aam al Huzn.

Isra

It was during these trying times, when circumstances had reached desperate proportion, that Allah SWT sent Angel Jibril AS to take Rasulullah SAW on the most glorious journey ever experienced by anyone on earth.
The Prophet was standing near the Ka’abah one night when Angel Jibril AS appeared with Burraq, a beast described as being between a mule and a donkey. Its speed was such that its hooves would touch where its eyes gazed. The part of journey known as Isra or the night journey took place between Mecca and Jerusalem. Burraq bore Prophet SAW on its back and in an instant transported him to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, a journey that at the time took weeks overland. Here, at the third holiest site in Islam, the Prophet SAW led all the Prophets in prayer.

When later questioned about it, the Prophet SAW was able to recount the details of this journey, the places, buildings, and even the caravan that was on its way from Jerusalem with perfect accuracy; this not only verified his claims and discredited the Quraysh mockery, but also strengthened Muslims in their faith.

Mi’raj

From Masjid Al-Aqsa, Prophet SAW went to the second part of his journey known as Mi’raj or ascension to the heavens.

Accompanied by Jibril AS, he ascended from heaven to heaven and was introduced to some previous prophets of Allah including Adam, the father of all mankind; Isa and his cousin Yahya, Yusuf, Idris, Harun and Musa— peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

In the seventh heaven, Prophet SAW saw Al-Baytil-Ma’mur, a building that is identical to the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah. Al-Baytil-Ma’mur is situated in the heavens exactly over the earthly Ka’abah. Each day, a continuous batch of 70,000 different angels enter it to worship Allah, a practice that will last till the end of time. There, Muhammad SAW met and exchanged greetings with his father-in-prophethood and the friend of Allah, Ibrahim AS, who incidentally was the Prophet who built the Holy Ka’abah on earth.

At Al-Baytil-Ma’mur, (and on some other reports, while they were still in Masjid Al-Aqsa) the Prophet SAW was offered a cup of wine and a cup of milk and was asked to choose between the two. He chose milk and at this Jibril AS remarked that Prophet SAW had chosen fitra, nature, over the artificial and thus he and his followers will be on the natural religion of Islam.

Muhammad witnessed the glories of Paradise, which is promised to the followers of truth. He was also shown hellfire and the horrific tortures, which await those who perpetrate corruption and sins on earth. He related to us the punishments specific to some crimes such as backbiting, adultery, usurping the money of orphans and eating riba; things that many commonly indulge in and need to be warned against in strictest terms.

Finally, the Prophet ascended to Sidrat ul Muntaha the boundary beyond which no one, not even Jibril AS can cross. At this point, the angel parted from the Prophet SAW and he went on alone to face his Lord, Allah SWT.

It is not known in which form the Prophet beheld Allah SWT. There is speculation on whether he saw Allah SWT in His true form or whether he saw the light of Allah. However, such incidental details do not make a difference in the overall lesson and wisdom that we can gain from Isra and Mi’raj. What is important is that during this meeting, the Ummah of Muhammad SAW was given gifts of mercy previously unknown to any nation.

Prophet received 3 gifts for his ummah – the format of our 5  daily prayer, forgiveness and last 2 verses of Baqarah.

The Gift of Salah (Prayer)
Prior to Isra and Mi’raj, the characteristics of prayer were different from what Muslims observe today. The current format of salah was revealed to the Muhammad SAW during his meeting with Allah SWT – if we think about it, it is a gift directly from Allah to all of us. Originally it was prescribed to be observed fifty times a day for Muslims. On his return from Sidrat ul Muntaha,Prophet SAW passed by Musa AS who persuaded him that his followers would not be capable of fulfilling this task and to ask Allah SWT for a reduction. The Prophet returned to Allah SWT a few times and each time it was reduced by ten in number until Allah SWT ordained five prayers during the day and equalled them in reward to fifty. Thus, the second pillar of Islam was established in the heavens, the Salah, the most structured, blessed and intimate way of worshipping and communicating directly with Allah SWT, which none of the previous nations were blessed with.

Forgiveness

During Isra and Mi’raj, Allah SWT promised that He will forgive the sins of true believers even if they are major sins. As long as a believer does not associate anything with Allah SWT, he is promised forgiveness from his Lord. Again, this was a message of encouragement, inspiration and hope.

Compared to the nations of the previous Prophets and Messengers, the nation of Prophet Muhammad has been showered with more mercy and compassion than any other. Allah SWT has lightened the burden on us, and multiplied the rewards of our deeds. No other nation has enjoyed this extent of forgiveness and forbearance from Allah SWT.

The mercy of Allah SWT on the followers of Prophet Muhammad is explained below in the process of recording of our deeds – the Messenger of Allah SAW said that Allah the Glorious said:“Verily, Allah Ta’ala has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then he explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Is this not proof of Allah’s boundless generosity to us, and sufficient encouragement for us to remain strong in the path of Allah?

Did It Really Happen?

Based on our understanding of physics, Isra and Mi’raj defies logic. Sceptics would question how anyone can travel great distances in a heartbeat, cross the seven heavens, converse with angels, meet with Prophets who had died generations ago, or witness the joys of paradise and the horrors of hellfire. Therefore it has been debated whether this journey physically took place, or whether it was a just a vision.

The reality is that our Creator is the Inventor of all things. He creates life out of nothing; He created the galaxy in its complex and perfect order; He created the smallest bacteria to perfection down to its microscopic detail. Things such as physics, dimensions, space, time and distance are creations of Allah SWT, and by His Supreme command all these laws can be changed and reality as we understand it can be suspended. Isra and Mi’raj transcended all these physical laws that apply in our limited earthly dimension. Therefore, the vast majority of scholars believe that this journey happened physically, with the body and soul of the Prophet SAW.

Lessons from Isra and Mi’raj

It is a milestone in the journey of Iman for every believer to believe in the unseen and to have faith that Allah is sufficient for us. Through Isra and Mi’raj, the followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW have been given a glimpse of what awaits them in the hereafter, and what exists in the dimensions beyond our own.

This journey occurred at a time of extreme adversity during the Prophet’s SAW life and despite all the hardships, he remained steadfast and patient. Although the circumstances around him were unbearable, his faith in Allah was never shaken; hence he was rewarded with this wonderful journey. When Allah SWT showed Prophet SAW the extent of His power and command, he returned more calm and reliant on Allah; and this is what he communicated to his followers.

If we understand this, we will appreciate that whenever we face adversity, are oppressed, or all our means have been severed; we should go back to Allah SWT, rely on Him alone, have faith, and be patient. The sincere believer relies totally and utterly on Allah SWT to the exclusion of all else, and deals with his situation in the way that was exemplified by Prophet Muhammad SAW. He overcomes his calamities and tribulations by stepping closer to Allah SWT, by crying to Him and by surrendering himself totally to His Will. A believer accepts that whatever is happening, good or bad, is the best for him.

This world is a testing ground for us. Allah SWT constantly sends trials our way, and the sincerity of our faith comes to light by the way we deal with these tribulations.

In the face of oppression, the Prophet SAW dealt with his oppressors with kindness, mercy and forgiveness. While it is easy to be generous to the generous, and kind to the kind; the true strength of our character and faith is evidenced when we are able to treat our oppressors with kindness and generosity. A believer does not let oppression by others get him down; neither does he get angry at the situation or circumstances. He demonstrates self restraint to the extent he does not even raise his voice in anger. We have been taught by the Prophet SAW that when we are facing adversities, we should not retaliate but instead remain silent and only turn to Allah SWT for help.

Isra and Mi’raj reminds us that instead of complaining about our situation, we should question ourselves about what Allah SWT expects from us when He gives us a situation we dislike. It is the sunnah (sequence or methodology) of Allah that before we experience victory, we will be tried.

Our eyes should always remain on the ultimate prize – jannah. This will prevent us from straying from the right path when we are tested. In understanding Islam, we will understand that no situation is too tough for us to handle as believers – we should face all situations with patience and contentment while relying on Allah SWT to show us the solution. We should trust in Allah’s Power, Will and Might, and believe without a doubt that He can open, guide and change the condition in the blink of an eye or even less.

Isra and Mi’raj may sound stranger than fiction, however it is a factual event and it is a deeply profound and moving journey that all of us should perform in our hearts. Muhammad SAW’s Lord is our Lord; time, space and distance are all His creations; similarly paradise and hellfire are not abstract concepts but real places which physically exist, and one of them is our final destination. We have been given sufficient descriptions of each to decide for ourselves which path we should take, and Allah SWT has shown His infinite mercy and compassion to help us choose the right path.

Therefore, regardless of when Isra and Mi’raj actually took place, we should celebrate it. The real celebration is to honour the message and purpose of the journey and to live according to the lessons it holds for us.

Rise up from our weaknesses to the strength and belief. We can say we need the physical journey to make firm steps towards Allah SWT by remembering Him, believing in Him and studying more about our faith, engage in good deeds, sacrifice time and money and feeling to please Allah SWT and honour ourselves and the message of Allah. It is a journey, spiritually and internally which should take place to believe in Allah, the Promise of Allah, the quality of Allah and deny the beliefs of the material life and the existing conditions. This is the challenge. May Allah SWT allow us to live the message in the level the Companions reached when they used to say, “What our eyes see is a lie, and what Allah promises is the truth.” Once we live this message, it will set us free from the condition within, in peace within, happy, contented, elevated, dignified, regardless of any condition, whether positive or negative. Let us rise up and experience the sweetness of iman, the freedom, peace and happiness with Allah SWT.