Isra Wal-Mi'raj - Part II

Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj – Part II

Following the ‘Year of Sorrow’,which was a dark time for the Muslims, and three weeks after the incident at Ta’if, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) experienced the Isra and the Mi’raj. This journey begun around the 10th year after revelation and approximately three years before the Prophet’s (SAW) migration from Makkah to Medina, known as the Hijrah. It was a journey that began at the Ka’bah in Makkah, to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and concluded in the Heavens. Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj was one of the most miraculous experiences that Allah (SWT) had bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This journey has no parallel in human history, and concludes beyond the horizons of human comprehension. The Quran says:

“Glorified is He Who carried His servant for a journey by night from the Holy Mosque (in Makka) to the farther Mosque (in Jerusalem) – whose surroundings We have blessed – that We might show him some of Our signs. Indeed He alone is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” 

(Sura Al-Isra 17:1)

The first part of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) journey all began, one special night, a long time ago, when three Angels, sent by Allah (SWT), came to the Prophet (SAW) while he slept near the Ka’bah. The Angels Jibreel, Mika’il and Israfeel awoke the Prophet (SAW) from his slumber, and carried him to lay on his back by the the spring of Zamzam. Angel Jibreel then split open the Prophet’s (SAW) chest from his throat to his middle, and said to Mika’il, “Bring me a tast (a vessel, usually made of copper) of water from Zamzam so that I will purify his heart and expand his breast.”Angel Jibreel took out the Prophet’s (SAW) heart and washed it three times with the pure waters, removing from it what was wrong. Mika’il went back and forth to Jibreel with the vessel of water from Zamzam three times. Then Mika’il brought Jibreel a golden vessel filled with wisdom and belief which Jibreel emptied into the Prophet’s (SAW) chest. They filled the Prophet’s (SAW) chest with hilm (intelligence, patience, good character), knowledge, certainty, and submission, then Jibreel closed his chest and sealed it between his shoulders with the Seal of Prophethood.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was then presented with Buraq (lightening mount). This steed, was created specifically for this momentous occasion- to carry the noble Prophet from Makkah to Jerusalem. Buraq had white wings on either side of its thighs that made him seem stronger when he stepped. Buraq was handsome-faced and bridled, a tall, white, wide beast, ”whose each stride stretched as far as the eye could see”, and had phenomenal speed that could cover a long distance in a short span of time. “I was then presented with a beautiful Buraq. This is an animal larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule. I mounted it.” (Sahih Muslim). When Angel Jibreel asked Buraq why it was so jumpy and anxious, it replied,“Amongst all steeds created light years ago, I was created for this most honourable occasion- to carry the Beloved of God The Supreme, The Exalted!” When the Prophet (SAW) mounted Buraq with Jibreel, they traveled and passed many different places and experienced some strange and wondrous things along the way, until they reached the city of Jerusalem.

Upon arrival at the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem, the Prophet (SAW) dismounted Buraq, and entering Masjid Al-Aqsa, the Prophet (SAW) found himself in the midst of the most honorable gathering. Every Prophet and Messenger from Adam (AS) to Isa(AS), was present and awaiting his arrival to pray two rakaats. Angel Jibreel then asked the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), to lead all the Prophets and Messengers in prayer as the Final Messenger of Allah (SWT). Upon completion of the prayer, the Prophet (SAW) was then presented with a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. “On the night Allah’s Apostle was taken on a night journey (Miraj) two cups, one containing wine and the other milk, were presented to him at Jerusalem. He looked at it and took the cup of milk. Gabriel said, “Praise be to Allah Who guided you to Al-Fitra (the right path); if you had taken (the cup of) wine, your nation would have gone astray.” (Narrated by Abu Huraira. Bukhari 7:69:482).

This noble assembly marked the end of the horizontal part of the Prophet’s (SAW) journey, Al-Isra. From here, accompanied by Angel Jibreel, the Messenger (SAW) ascended on a beautiful ladder that led toward the heavens, and thus began the second part of his vertical journey, the Mi’raj

 - End of Part 2 (Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj)

Isra Wal-Mi’raj – Part I

Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj – Part I

In the blessed month of Rajab, a truly miraculous event took place, known as Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj or The Glorious Night Journey and Miracle of Ascension. 

Isra (night visit) is believed to be the Prophet’s (SAW) horizontal journey from theKabah in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Miraj (Ascension), was the Prophet’s (SAW) vertical journey into the Heavens.

The purpose of this journey, was so Allah might”show him some of His signs”. The Prophet( SAW) visited heaven and hell, met the Prophets, the angels, and above all throne of his Majestic Lord. In part one, we are going to learn about the events that lead up to Al Isra Wal Mi’raj.

In the 10th year of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) prophethood, was the year known as the Year of Sorrow. It was named such a year, because the Prophet (SAW) endured much sadness and hardship. First, the Prophet’s (SAW) two biggest sources of comfort and support, his beloved wife, Khadija (RA) and caring uncle, Abu Talib passed away. Second, without Abu Talib’s protection, the Muslim community experienced ever-increasing harassment in Makkah from the Arab Pagans of the Quraish tribe. Third, the harassment in Makkah forced Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to flee to a nearby city called Taif, where he was treated very badly and had to flee once again.

In the late 619, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) went to Taif to preach the Oneness of Allah. The people of Taif were idol worshipers and were proud and wealthy. The Prophet (SAW) called on the three chiefs of the local tribe, and invited them to abandon their idolatry and to believe in the Oneness of Allah. But the three chiefs were conceited and arrogant and greeted the Prophet (SAW) with mockery and ridicule. Instead of receiving a warm welcome, the Prophet (SAW) was treated in a rude and discourteous manner. The chiefs stirred up the gangs of the town to mock and humiliate him. The street urchins and riff-raff chased after him and pelted him with stones, and his body bled. His shoes were soaked with blood and he was bruised by the time he finally reached outside the walls of Taif. The Prophet (SAW) finally collapsed in a vineyard under a tree and in his state of anguish and helplessness he turned to Allah and made this fervent supplication:

“O Allah! To you alone I complain my weakness, my scarcity of resources and the humiliation I have been subjected to by the people. O Most Merciful of those who have mercy! You are the Lord of the weak and You are my Lord too. To whom have you entrusted me? To a distant person who receives me with hostility? Or to an enemy to whom you have granted authority over my affair? But as long as you are not angry with me I do not care, except that Your favour is a more expansive relief to me (easier for me to bear). I seek refuge in the light of Your Face by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Your anger or Your displeasure descends upon me. Yours is the right to reproach until You are pleased. There is no power and no might except by You.”

His prayer was so moving, that the Lord of the Worlds sent angel Jibreel before Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Angel Jibreel greeted him & said:

“Allah knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed an angel in charge of the mountains to be at your command.” 

Saying this, Angel Jibreel ushered an angel before the Prophet (SAW), who greeted him and said:

“O, Prophet of Allah! I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them.” 

The noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied:

“Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that there will be persons from among their progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause.”

Subhanallah! How merciful the Prophet (SAW) was to those who wronged him, and how patient to endure this in his life. His experience at Taif, showed us the suffering that the prophets of Allah had to endure, both physically and mentally. It was usually on these occasions that Divine help came to the prophets. The Quran says:

“They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those with him cried. When (will come) the help of God? Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near.” (Sura Baqarah: Verse 214).

The owner of the vineyard saw the Prophet (SAW) was hurt, so he dressed his wounds, and let him rest and recuperate until he felt strong enough to resume his journey. The Prophet had to return to Makkah, but before entering the city he sent word to three chiefs, asking them to offer him protection. Two of the chiefs refused, but the third chief, al-Mut’im ibn-‘Adi, took him under his protection and brought him home. So Muhammad (SAW) resumed his duties in preaching and teaching the message of Islam. The Hajj season was at hand and he began to speak to the people about Islam and told them to stop worshiping idols and to worship only Allah (SWT). Some of the tribes as a whole did not accept Islam, but they listened to his message and reflected on his words. Many would accept part of it, but they did not want to leave the religion of their forefathers, after all, they had traveled to Makkah to pay homage to these Idols in the first place. The Prophet (SAW) was not deterred by this and made the point of speaking to as many groups or individuals as he could.

It was in one of the darkest and most dismal moments in his life when the Isra and Mi’raj took place. The story of Mi’raj was an honor bestowed on Prophet Muhammad (SAW), by renewing his courage and his efforts to serve his Almighty Lord (SWT).

- End of Part 1 (Al-Isra Wal-Mi’raj)

Common Mistakes During Ramadan.

1. Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh:

There is no specific number of rak'ahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said -
"No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (raka'ah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."

2. Praying ONLY on the night of the 27^th:

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the

Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
"Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

3. Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid:

 

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

4. Iftaar parties:

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

6. Taking Ramadaan as a ritual:

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them)’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

7. Too much stress on food and drink:

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. They turn the month of 'fasting' into the month of 'feasting'. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) " [al-Araaf :31]

8. Spending all day cooking:

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their children/ husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

9. Eating too much:

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to 'make up for the food missed.' However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: 'Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full?' He said, 'I do not think so.'

10. Sleeping all day:

 

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) 'sleeping away their fast'. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot 'bear' to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

11. Wasting time:

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Ma'doodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

12. Fasting but not giving up evil:

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari)

13. Smoking:

 

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaa'ith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of 'smoking material' eg. cigars, cigarettes, pipes, ‘Sheesha’, hookah etc.

"He allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things)" [al-A'raaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast.

14. Skipping Suhoor:

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)

15. Stopping Suhoor at 'Imsaak':

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe 'Imsaak'.

This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."

This 'imsaak' which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim)

"Ya Allah, let us reach this Ramadan and benefit from all the rewards it has to offer.”
Amien!