JOURNEY TO MIRAJ

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.In addition to all these burdens, when
the Prophet (saw) had travelled to Ta’if to spread the Islamic message, the people
of Ta’if had rejected him in the most cruel way, sending their children into the streets to
stone him until he left the
city.Having gone through so much
grief and suffering, the Prophet
Muhammad (saw) was given a
truly beautiful and comforting
gift. He was transported not only
to the Sacred Sanctuary and
through the skies, but ultimately
into the Divine Presence, the
source of all comfort and
hope. One of the most important lessons of Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj, therefore, is that ‘with every
hardship [there will be] ease’ (The Noble Qur’an, 94: 5).

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]

 
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. Finally,
the Messenger of Allah (saw) arrived in the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and
he said, ’When we reached Bait al-Maqdis [literally ‘the holy house’ another name
for the Blessed Masjid Al-Aqsa] Jibril (as) pointed with his finger causing a crack in
the rock, and he tied the Buraq to it [at the western wall of the noble sanctuary]’
(Tirmidhi). Waiting inside were all 124,000 Prophets (as). Jibra’eel (as) led the
Prophet (saw) to the front, and he (saw) led them all in prayer in this blessed
space.

When the Prophet (saw) completed the prayer, he said, ‘someone said, “Here is
Malik (as), the keeper of the Hell, so convey Salams to him”. So, I turned to him,
but he preceded me in Salams’ (Muslim).

The Messenger of Allah (saw) also said, ’The Prophets were presented to me, and
Musa (as) was a thin man, it was as if he was from the men of Shanu’ah [a Yemeni
tribe]. And I saw ’Isa ibn Maryam (as), and the closest of the people in
resemblance to him from those I have seen, is ‘Urwah ibn Mas‘†d (ra). And I saw
Ibrahim (as), and the closest of the people in resemblance to him, from those I
have seen, is your companion [meaning himself]. And I saw Jibril [as], and the
closest of the people in resemblance to him, from those I have seen, is Dihyah
(ra)’ (Tirmidhi).
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).

The dominant opinion is that the Prophet

(saw) alongside Jibril (as) then proceeded to
the Noble Rock (as-Sakhrah al-Musharrafah)
that is currently housed by the holy Dome of
the Rock Masjid at the centre of the noble
sanctuary (al-Haram ash-Sharif) of the Blessed
Masjid Al-Aqsa.

When he finally reached the highest level in

the heavens, he was brought into the Divine
Presence of the Almighty Allah s.w.t, alone at
Sidratul Muntaha (a boundary beyond which none may pass). It is said to be the
boundary that has never been passed by anyone except by Prophet Muhammad
s.a.w. Here, Rasulullah s.a.w. was given the Divine Decree for the believers to
establish daily prayers.

Upon returning from the Sidaratul Muntaha, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

encountered Prophet Musa a.s. In the tradition, it was described that Prophet
Musa a.s told our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w that the commandment
could perhaps be too heavy for his people to follow. Understanding this, our
beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w kept returning to Allah, The Most Merciful
for a lesser number of obligatory prayers for his people. Our Prophet s.a.w is full
of love and care for his followers, and this feeling was bestowed to him by Allah
s.w.t. Eventually, the number of compulsory prayers were reduced to five. Upon
being given that by Allah s.w.t, Rasulullah s.a.w did not wish to continue asking
for more and from then, the practice of five daily prayers was established. 

The journey of al-Mi’raj ends with the Prophet s.a.w descending back to Masjid
Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. On his return home to Makkah, he saw various caravans in
the outskirts and heading towards the city, which he would later describe to the
people of Quraysh as proof that he had made this journey in less than a night.
There were many who did not believe the Prophet and mocked him for making
such a claim. The companions, however, never doubted this momentous event.

Therefore, this story was a source of wonder and hope, as it continues to be for
us today. On this night, the best of creation s.a.w was given the honour of
travelling to the heavens and was graced to meet the Divine Presence. 

Commemorating Isra’ & Mi’raj

Considering its significance, it is important for us to commemorate this night
journey by reflecting on the lessons and maximising our worship and good
deeds. Prior to Isra’ Mi’raj, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had displayed great
patience in the face of hardship, and it is of Allah’s wisdom that He bestows His
gifts and relief to be accompanied with hardships. After all, Allah s.w.t. says in
the Quran,

‫ُسر يُسرً ا‬ ِ ‫َفِإنَّ َم َع الع‬

ِ ‫ ِإنَّ َم َع الع‬.‫ُسر يُسرً ا‬

“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease” 

(Surah Ash-Sharh, 94:5-6).

It was here that Allah s.w.t. gave Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. His direct
supervision, guidance and protection. It was also here that He revealed the gift
of prayers. Prayers are the Mi’raj (ascension) of a believer to their Lord and a
daily source of strength. With it, we rise to the Almighty every day,
communicate and draw closer to Him. It was so special that no other revelations
were conveyed directly to Rasulullah s.a.w. beside this Divine Decree of
establishing the daily prayers. The five daily prayers form a key pillar of Islam.
Without prayers, our lives are devoid of the spiritual connection to Allah s.w.t.
Our five daily prayers connect us to our Creator and pause us from this worldly
life to devote ourselves to answer the call of our Master.  

Made by
ZAYAN BAIG - 9B
November 2021