Shab-e-Miraj in Pakistan, 2024-Isra and Miraj
Date of
Shab-e-Miraj 2024?
In the seventh month of the Islamic
calendar, on the 27th of Rajab, is when this day is observed. However, the
exact date of this day depends upon the sighting of the moon. The dates of
other holy days also depend upon the moon sighting.
What is Isra and
Miraj?
The night of Shab-e-Miraj is also
known as Isra, Miraj, and Al Isra wal Miraj. In the seventh month of the
Islamic calendar, on the 27th of Rajab, is when this day is observed. This day
is celebrated in remembrance of the day when Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W) went to
visit heaven to meet Allah Almighty. He (S.A.W.W) ascended from the Masjid-al-Haram,
Makkah to Heaven.
Story of Shab e Miraj
Isra and Miraj took place approximately 10-12 years
after the Prophet (S.A.W.) received revelation from Allah. The recent passing
of the Prophet's (S.A.W.) cherished wife Khadijah (R.A.) and Uncle Abu Talib
caused him immense anguish and sadness. However, in these difficult times, the Prophet
(S.A.W.) was honored with direct contact with Allah through this blessed
journey.
The incredible journey that Miraj took had two
stages. Following his initial journey from Makkah (Kaaba) to Jerusalem (Masjid
Al-Aqsa), the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to the sky at Allah's behest.
The leader of the Angels, Jibrael (A.S.), began the
evening. appearing before the Prophet (S.A.W.). Subsequently, he took Mohammad
(S.A.W.) from the Masjid Al-Haram (Kaaba)
to the Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
How does Rasool (S.A.W.W) travel?
An animal that looked like a horse and was sent by
Allah from Jannah (Paradise) was named Al-Burraq, and it was utilized for this
nighttime travel. It took him (S.A.W.) only a few seconds to get from Masjid
al-Haram to Masjid Al-Aqsa after experiencing this wonderful journey. On
reaching Masjid Al-Aqsa, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) realized that all the other
Prophets, who came before him, were already present there. These Prophets
include Ibrahim (A.S.), Isa (A.S.), Musa (A.S.), and all other Prophets.
Here, in two Rakat prayers, Mohammad (S.A.W.)
guided all the prophets. Afterward, the Prophet (S.A.W.) was given two glasses.
There were two cups, one with milk and the other with wine. He (S.A.W.) looked
at them and decided on the milk. "Glory to Allah for leading you to the
Fitrah" (purity and innocence) Jibrael (A.S.) said to him (S.A.W.). If you
had chosen the wine instead, your Ummah would have been misdirected. (Nasai An:
5657)
Prophet's Ascension to Heavens
In the second part of Isra and Miraj, Jibrael
(A.S.) took the Prophet (S.A.W.) to the heavens. Through his ascension, Prophet
Mohammad (S.A.W.) stopped by all seven layers of the heaven/sky. Messenger of
Allah (S.A.W.) met the following great Prophets in each heaven:
- On first heaven, Prophet
Adam (A.S.)
- On second heaven, Prophet
Isa (A.S.) and Prophet Yahya (A.S.) [Prophet Jesus and
Prophet John]
- On third heaven, Prophet Yusuf (A.S.) [Prophet
Joseph]
- On fourth heaven, Prophet Idris (A.S.)
[Prophet Enoch]
• Prophet Aaron, in the sixth heaven, Prophet
Haroon (A.S.)
• Prophet Moses, or Prophet Musa (A.S.), on the
sixth heaven
• Prophet Abraham, or Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), on
the seventh heaven (Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 3207)
Bait Al-Mamur and Sidrat Al-Muntaha
Prophet (S.A.W.) was shown Al-Bait Al-Mamur (Allah's
House on top of all heavens). Upon inquiring about this place, Jibrael (A.S)
told Prophet (S.A.W.),
'This is Al Bait- Al-Mamur where 70,000 angels
perform prayers daily and those who attend it never will never be able to again
attend this blessing.' (Sahih Bukhari: 3207)
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was carried to Sidrat
Al-Muntaha (a large Lote-Tree that marks the end of the heavens. No creation of Allah may cross the limit known as
Sidrat Al-Muntaha. Jibrael (A.S.) stopped at this tree whereas Prophet Mohammad
(S.A.W.) was the only being who was allowed by Allah to pass this
boundary.
Did the Prophet (S.A.W.) see Allah?
After the Prophet (S.A.W.) crossed Sidrat
Al-Muntaha, he (S.A.W.) was then presented to the Divine Presence and got the
closest possible nearness to Allah but the Prophet (S.A.W.) did not see Allah
with his eyes. The hadith listed below also makes this clear:
It was narrated that Aishah (R.A.) said:?If
anyone tells you that Mohammad (S.A.W.) has seen his Lord, he is a liar, for
Allah says: 'No vision can grasp Him.' (Surah Al-Anaam 6:103) (Sahih Bukhari: 7380)
Establishing five daily prayers
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was ordered to offer 50 daily
prayers for himself and his Ummah while Allah was in the heavenly presence.
Prophet (S.A.W.) returned after getting this command from Allah and was headed
back, but Prophet Musa (A.S) advised him to ask Allah to reduce the number
because It would be impossible for the Muslim Ummah to offer so many prayers. Even
when the number of petitions was whittled down to five, the Prophet (S.A.W.)
continued to approach the Almighty Allah since Allah had promised to grant him
a gift of these five prayers, which would equal fifty prayers for His slaves
(SubhanAllah).
Presents from Isra and Miraj
Three gifts were provided to the Messenger of Allah
(S.A.W.) during this auspicious journey:
1.
Five prayers a day, which is equivalent to fifty prayers a day in reward. 7517
in Sahih Bukhari.
The final two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah function
as the ending.
3. The
Promise of Allah: All the transgressions of the Ummah of Muhammad (S.A.W.)
would be forgiven, except those who died as accomplices of Allah. (Muslim Sahih
173)
The prophet (S.A.W.) saw "Jannah" and
"Jahannum"
When the Prophet (S.A.W.) was traveling in Miraj,
He (S.A.W.W) was also taken to Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannum (Hell) by
Angel Jibrael (A.S.). During this visit, the Prophet (S.A.W.) saw the blessing that
would be received by the inhabitants of paradise but also saw the tortures and
torments that would be inflicted on the people who would enter hell.
Prophet (S.A.W.) came back to Makkah
After completing his journey, the Prophet (S.A.W.)
mounted Al-Buraq and returned to Makkah. There was only one night for the Shab e Miraj.
The next morning, the Prophet (S.A.W.) went to
Masjid Al-Haram and told people about his journey. This was a convenient
opportunity for the unbelievers to make fun of the believers. They enquired
about the description of Masjid Al-Aqsa as they were aware that the Prophet
(S.A.W.) had never visited there. The Prophet's (S.A.W.) response and precise
description of the mosque astounded the unbelievers. They said to the Prophet
(S.A.W.): "You accurately and perfectly described it, by God." Still,
they refused to accept Islam and demanded further evidence.
Abu Bakr (R.A.) told a group of disbelievers about
the circumstance, and they said, "If the Prophet (S.A.W.) said this, then
it is undoubtedly true." This displays Abu
Bakr's true beliefs and due to this incident, Abu
Bakr (R.A.) was given the title of "As-Siddiq" (the Truthful)"
by the Prophet (S.A.W.).
