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)