The Miracle Of Al-Isra And Al-Miraj

The Miracle Of Al-Isra And Al-Miraj

Allah Ta'ala says,

"Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad ) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad ) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (17:1)

DESCRIPTION:
• Israa: Was the prophet's trip from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem
• Miraj: Was the Prophet's journey to Heaven.

It is one of the miraculous experiences that Allah has blessed and honored prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. The Prophet (pbuh) and the small group of early Muslims in Makkah had been suffering extensively from the Arab pagans of the Quraish tribe. The distress further increased when the Prophet went to the city of Taif where he was humiliated by the people of Taif who pelted him with stones. In this state of anguish, and a feeling of helplessness in front of his enemies he turned to Allah and made a fervent supplication. He ended the supplication by saying that as long as Allah is not displeased with him, then he will always be satisfied. Right after this event, the Israa and Miraj took place to honor him and to renew his courage and strive to serve Allah.

The experience was also a sign that all prophets go through hardship and that Allah was not displeased with him. There are many lessons we can also learn from the experience such as the truth of Islam, the full confidence of Abu Bakr in the prophet's trustworthiness, the establishment of the prayers, the importance of Jerusalem and its holy sites, etc.

The Arabs of those days were mostly incapable of understanding the full significance and meaning of Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj. Therefore, as soon as the Prophet told them about his Night Journey, they could think only of the physical possibility of normal travel. They could never visualize a wondrous journey of the kind the Prophet was describing. Even good followers of the Prophet were confused. They were asking: 'Could the Prophet achieve such a journey in one night, i.e. a journey that would take normally a month?' Those who were troubled by doubt went to Abu Bakr and related to him about the Prophet's claim. Abu Bakr answered, "Surely you are telling me lies." They said, "There is Muhammad in the mosque telling the people of his trip." Then Abu Bakr answered, "By Allah, if Muhammad himself has said so, then it is true. He tells us that the word of Allah comes to him directly from heaven to earth in an hour of night or day and we believe him. Isn't this a greater miracle than what you are doubting today?" Abu Bakr came to the Prophet and listened to him describing Jerusalem and its mosque. When he finished, Abu Bakr said, "You said the truth, O Prophet of Allah." From that day on the Prophet called Abu Bakr al Siddiq (he who affirms the truth).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT OF MERAAJ FROM HADITH:

Narrated Malik bin Sasaa:

The Prophet said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the abdomen and then my abdomen was washed with Zam-zam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al-Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Jibreel.

When I reached the nearest heaven. Jibreel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Jibreel.' The gate-keeper, 'Who is accompanying you?' Jibreel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Jibreel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Jibreel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Jibreel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet added:). There I met Yusuf and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moosa who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.' Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Ibrahim who said, 'You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.'

Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Jibreel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).' Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Jibreel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moosa who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moosa) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moosa who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five.

When I came to Moosa again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Apostle was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds."

(Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 429, and also see; Volume 5, Book 58, Number 227)