﷽
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 62*
*AL-ISRAA AND AL-MĪRAJ (THE PROPHET'S MIDNIGHT JOURNEY THAT BEGAN FROM THE SACRED MOSQUE, MECCA, TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE, JERUSALEM AND ENDED WITH HIS ASCENT TO THE SEVEN HEAVENS)*
As the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) was going through this stage and the calling was forcing its way through success and persecution, the event of Al-Israa and Al-Mīraj took place. Scholars differ over the time of this event as follows:
1. At-Tabary said that Al-Israa was in the first year when the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) received revelation.
2. An-Nawawy and Al-Qurtuby maintained that it was in the fifth year of Prophethood.
3. It was on the 27th night of Rajab, the tenth year of Prophethood.
4. It was sixteen months before Hijra, in Ramadān of the twelfth year of Prophethood.
5. It was in Muharram of the thirteenth year of Prophethood.
6. It was in Rabi'ul-Awwal, the thirteenth year of Prophethood.
The prominent Scholars of Hadīth narrated the details of this event. But we will summarise them as far as we can. Ibnul-Qayyim said: "The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) travelled in personal by night from the Holy Mosque to the Jerusalem mounting the Burāq (an abnormal riding animal) and accompanying Angel Gabriel. Then he stopped at the Jerusalem, tied the Burāq to the ring of the door of the Masjid and led Prophets in prayer there. Then he ascended on the same night from Jerusalem to the nearest heaven where angel Gabriel ordered the gate be opened for him. When Prophet Ādam (A.S.) saw Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he (Prophet Ādam) welcomed him and he returned the greeting. He recognised his Prophethood and showed him the spirits of the happy on his right and those of the wretched on his left.
Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the second heaven where he found and greeted John, the son of Zachariah, and Jesus, the son of Mary. They welcomed the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and acknowledged his Prophethood. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) moved to the third heaven where he saw Joseph. He greeted him and he returned his greetings and recognised his Prophethood. Then he ascended to the fourth heaven where he saw Idris and greeted him. Idris welcomed him and accepted his Prophethood. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) moved to the fifth heaven and saw Harūn Ibn 'Imrān who welcomed him and acknowledged his Prophethood.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the sixth heaven and met Moses Ibn 'Imrān who welcomed him and gave credence to his Prophethood. When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) passed by Moses, he wept. And when he was asked what made him weep, he replied: "I weep because there is a Prophet who is sent after me and a greater number of his nation will enter Paradise than of mine."
After that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the seventh heaven where he met Abraham and greeted him. He returned his greeting and have credence to his Prophethood. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) rose to the Sidratul-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). Its nabks are as big as the jars of Hajār and its leaves are like the ears of elephants. Then a golden cover, light and colours wrapped it up, which makes it change all the time. No human can describe its matchless beauty. Then he saw the Frequented House which seventy thousand angels enter every day and never get out of it.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon) was let in the paradise which is full of pearls and whose dust is like musk. Then he ascended on till he reached a level where he heard the creaks of pens.
After that he ascended to Allāh, the Creator, and he was too near to Him. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) received revelation and fifty obligatory prayers were prescribed. When he returned and passed by Moses, he asked him: "What has your God impose upon you?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "He prescribed fifty prayers." Moses said: "Your nation will not bear that. Return to your God and request Him to alleviate this obligation." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) turned to angel Gabriel (as if he was asking for his advice). Angel Gabriel nodded his approval. Then they ascended till the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) came to Allāh and asked Him to alleviate the obligation of prayer. He reduced them to forty prayers. When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) descended, he told Moses about that. He advised him to return to his God and beg Him of more alleviation. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) continued to ascend to Allāh and ask for alleviation till the obligatory prayers became five only. Moses also asked him to go back and plead for alleviation. But the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "I became shy with my God. I can do nothing but submit to His command." When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went away, a caller said aloud: "I have impose my obligation and alleviated it for my servants." Some versions show that the Prophet's chest was slit open in this journey as well.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) met many scenes in this journey, and they can be summarised as follows:
1. Wine and milk were offered to him. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) chose the milk and refused the wine. Upon this, it was said: "You attained the Fitrah (pure disposition). If you accepted wine, your nation would go astray."
2. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) watched four rivers that were flowing from the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. There were two visible rivers and two invisible ones. The two visible ones referred to the Nile and Euphrates while the unseen ones originated from the Paradise. (Seeing the Nile and Euphrates indicates that Islam would reign supreme in the regions where both of these rivers exist).
3. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw Mālik, the top guard of Hell who never laughed in his presence. No sign of cheerfulness was seen on his face. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) also eyed Paradise and hell.
4. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw those who seize the property of orphans unjustly having lips like those of camels. Their mouths were being fed with flames that got out of their posteriors.
5. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw usurers with very big bellies that impeded them from moving. Whenever the family of Pharaoh is exposed to Hell, they tread on them.
6. Adulterers had good and lean stinky pieces of meat. They were eating of the lean stinky pieces and leave the good ones.
7. Women who bore children through unlawful Sexual Relations were hung down through their breasts.
8. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) also saw a caravan of Meccans going ahead and returning. He also guided them to some of their camels that ran away. He also drank water of their covered pot when they were asleep. In the morning this became an evidence for the credibility of his journey.
Ibnul-Qayyim said: "When it was morning, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) told his people about the signs which Allāh showed to him. But they disbelieved and offended him so harshly. To defy him they asked him to describe Jerusalem. Allāh made him remember it as if he was eyeing it at the moment and began to describe it. They did not object to anything. To tell them about a tangible fact, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) informed them of their caravan, the time when they will arrive and the camels which will arrive first. All of this came true as the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said. But polytheists persisted in their disbelief and aversion. It is said that Abu Bakr was called As-Siddīq because he was the first to believe this journey while other people disbelieved it.
The best and most brief reason behind this journey was the verse reading:
Surah Al-Isra, Verse 1:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] [Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 204] Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) 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 SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.
This is Allāh's unchanging law regarding His Prophets:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 75:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ
Thus did we show Ibrahim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.
Almighty Allāh also says to Moses:
Surah Taha, Verse 23:
لِنُرِيَكَ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا الْكُبْرَى
"That We may show you (some) of Our Greater Signs.
The purpose of showing these signs is: "That he would be among the certain (in faith)." After Prophets see such signs, they have unquestionable and inestimable belief. Words are not as impressive as observation. This, in turn, encourages them to suffer in the cause of Allāh, renders all forces of evil worthless and mitigates their ordeals and trials.
The significant reasons of this blessed journey need to be tackled in volumes. But there are simple facts, some of which I want to mention briefly.
One who recites the chapter of Al-Israa finds that Allāh talks about the story of Al-Israa in one verse. Then He begins to unmask the scandals and crimes of the Jews and makes it clear that the Qur-ān guides to the straight path. The normal reciter may think that the two verses are not relevant. But the reverse is true. Through these two verses Allāh states that Al-Israa happened in Jerusalem because the Jews will be stripped of the leadership of humanity due to their crimes. Allāh points out also that this position will pass to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and combines the two centres of Abraham's calling together. It's high time spiritual leadership shifted from a nation with a history of treachery and wrong-doings to another one from which good deeds stream abundantly.
But how can this leadership shifts while the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) is still roaming the mountains of Mecca and sustaining persecution? This very question demonstrates another fact: a period of the calling of Islam has elapsed and a new one will begin and differ entirely from the first one. Thus we see that the verses include evident Warnings and serious threats directed at polytheists. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Isra, Verse 16-17:
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيرًا
And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allāh and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن بَعْدِ نُوحٍ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا بَصِيرًا
And how many generations have We destroyed after Nuh (Noah)! And Sufficient is your Lord as an All-Knower and All-Beholder of the sins of His slaves.
Besides these verses, there are others that explains to Muslims the foundations, rulers and principles of civilisation on which their human society will be founded. They will take refuge in a place where they will possess all the constituents of power and sovereignty and form a cemented and strong structure. This indicates that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) will find a haven and safe place which he will settle in peacefully and take as a centre for his calling to spread all over the world.
Because of these significant reasons we can conclude that the journey of Al-Israa took place either before the 'Aqabah First Pledge of Allegiance or between both the first and second one.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 62*
*AL-ISRAA AND AL-MĪRAJ (THE PROPHET'S MIDNIGHT JOURNEY THAT BEGAN FROM THE SACRED MOSQUE, MECCA, TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE, JERUSALEM AND ENDED WITH HIS ASCENT TO THE SEVEN HEAVENS)*
As the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) was going through this stage and the calling was forcing its way through success and persecution, the event of Al-Israa and Al-Mīraj took place. Scholars differ over the time of this event as follows:
1. At-Tabary said that Al-Israa was in the first year when the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) received revelation.
2. An-Nawawy and Al-Qurtuby maintained that it was in the fifth year of Prophethood.
3. It was on the 27th night of Rajab, the tenth year of Prophethood.
4. It was sixteen months before Hijra, in Ramadān of the twelfth year of Prophethood.
5. It was in Muharram of the thirteenth year of Prophethood.
6. It was in Rabi'ul-Awwal, the thirteenth year of Prophethood.
The prominent Scholars of Hadīth narrated the details of this event. But we will summarise them as far as we can. Ibnul-Qayyim said: "The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) travelled in personal by night from the Holy Mosque to the Jerusalem mounting the Burāq (an abnormal riding animal) and accompanying Angel Gabriel. Then he stopped at the Jerusalem, tied the Burāq to the ring of the door of the Masjid and led Prophets in prayer there. Then he ascended on the same night from Jerusalem to the nearest heaven where angel Gabriel ordered the gate be opened for him. When Prophet Ādam (A.S.) saw Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he (Prophet Ādam) welcomed him and he returned the greeting. He recognised his Prophethood and showed him the spirits of the happy on his right and those of the wretched on his left.
Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the second heaven where he found and greeted John, the son of Zachariah, and Jesus, the son of Mary. They welcomed the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and acknowledged his Prophethood. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) moved to the third heaven where he saw Joseph. He greeted him and he returned his greetings and recognised his Prophethood. Then he ascended to the fourth heaven where he saw Idris and greeted him. Idris welcomed him and accepted his Prophethood. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) moved to the fifth heaven and saw Harūn Ibn 'Imrān who welcomed him and acknowledged his Prophethood.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the sixth heaven and met Moses Ibn 'Imrān who welcomed him and gave credence to his Prophethood. When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) passed by Moses, he wept. And when he was asked what made him weep, he replied: "I weep because there is a Prophet who is sent after me and a greater number of his nation will enter Paradise than of mine."
After that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) ascended to the seventh heaven where he met Abraham and greeted him. He returned his greeting and have credence to his Prophethood. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) rose to the Sidratul-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). Its nabks are as big as the jars of Hajār and its leaves are like the ears of elephants. Then a golden cover, light and colours wrapped it up, which makes it change all the time. No human can describe its matchless beauty. Then he saw the Frequented House which seventy thousand angels enter every day and never get out of it.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon) was let in the paradise which is full of pearls and whose dust is like musk. Then he ascended on till he reached a level where he heard the creaks of pens.
After that he ascended to Allāh, the Creator, and he was too near to Him. Then the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) received revelation and fifty obligatory prayers were prescribed. When he returned and passed by Moses, he asked him: "What has your God impose upon you?" The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "He prescribed fifty prayers." Moses said: "Your nation will not bear that. Return to your God and request Him to alleviate this obligation." The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) turned to angel Gabriel (as if he was asking for his advice). Angel Gabriel nodded his approval. Then they ascended till the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) came to Allāh and asked Him to alleviate the obligation of prayer. He reduced them to forty prayers. When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) descended, he told Moses about that. He advised him to return to his God and beg Him of more alleviation. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) continued to ascend to Allāh and ask for alleviation till the obligatory prayers became five only. Moses also asked him to go back and plead for alleviation. But the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: "I became shy with my God. I can do nothing but submit to His command." When the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) went away, a caller said aloud: "I have impose my obligation and alleviated it for my servants." Some versions show that the Prophet's chest was slit open in this journey as well.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) met many scenes in this journey, and they can be summarised as follows:
1. Wine and milk were offered to him. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) chose the milk and refused the wine. Upon this, it was said: "You attained the Fitrah (pure disposition). If you accepted wine, your nation would go astray."
2. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) watched four rivers that were flowing from the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. There were two visible rivers and two invisible ones. The two visible ones referred to the Nile and Euphrates while the unseen ones originated from the Paradise. (Seeing the Nile and Euphrates indicates that Islam would reign supreme in the regions where both of these rivers exist).
3. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw Mālik, the top guard of Hell who never laughed in his presence. No sign of cheerfulness was seen on his face. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) also eyed Paradise and hell.
4. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw those who seize the property of orphans unjustly having lips like those of camels. Their mouths were being fed with flames that got out of their posteriors.
5. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) saw usurers with very big bellies that impeded them from moving. Whenever the family of Pharaoh is exposed to Hell, they tread on them.
6. Adulterers had good and lean stinky pieces of meat. They were eating of the lean stinky pieces and leave the good ones.
7. Women who bore children through unlawful Sexual Relations were hung down through their breasts.
8. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) also saw a caravan of Meccans going ahead and returning. He also guided them to some of their camels that ran away. He also drank water of their covered pot when they were asleep. In the morning this became an evidence for the credibility of his journey.
Ibnul-Qayyim said: "When it was morning, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) told his people about the signs which Allāh showed to him. But they disbelieved and offended him so harshly. To defy him they asked him to describe Jerusalem. Allāh made him remember it as if he was eyeing it at the moment and began to describe it. They did not object to anything. To tell them about a tangible fact, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) informed them of their caravan, the time when they will arrive and the camels which will arrive first. All of this came true as the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said. But polytheists persisted in their disbelief and aversion. It is said that Abu Bakr was called As-Siddīq because he was the first to believe this journey while other people disbelieved it.
The best and most brief reason behind this journey was the verse reading:
Surah Al-Isra, Verse 1:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] [Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 204] Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) 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 SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.
This is Allāh's unchanging law regarding His Prophets:
Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 75:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُرِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ
Thus did we show Ibrahim (Abraham) the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith with certainty.
Almighty Allāh also says to Moses:
Surah Taha, Verse 23:
لِنُرِيَكَ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا الْكُبْرَى
"That We may show you (some) of Our Greater Signs.
The purpose of showing these signs is: "That he would be among the certain (in faith)." After Prophets see such signs, they have unquestionable and inestimable belief. Words are not as impressive as observation. This, in turn, encourages them to suffer in the cause of Allāh, renders all forces of evil worthless and mitigates their ordeals and trials.
The significant reasons of this blessed journey need to be tackled in volumes. But there are simple facts, some of which I want to mention briefly.
One who recites the chapter of Al-Israa finds that Allāh talks about the story of Al-Israa in one verse. Then He begins to unmask the scandals and crimes of the Jews and makes it clear that the Qur-ān guides to the straight path. The normal reciter may think that the two verses are not relevant. But the reverse is true. Through these two verses Allāh states that Al-Israa happened in Jerusalem because the Jews will be stripped of the leadership of humanity due to their crimes. Allāh points out also that this position will pass to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) and combines the two centres of Abraham's calling together. It's high time spiritual leadership shifted from a nation with a history of treachery and wrong-doings to another one from which good deeds stream abundantly.
But how can this leadership shifts while the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) is still roaming the mountains of Mecca and sustaining persecution? This very question demonstrates another fact: a period of the calling of Islam has elapsed and a new one will begin and differ entirely from the first one. Thus we see that the verses include evident Warnings and serious threats directed at polytheists. Allāh says:
Surah Al-Isra, Verse 16-17:
وَإِذَا أَرَدْنَا أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا الْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَاهَا تَدْمِيرًا
And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allāh and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن بَعْدِ نُوحٍ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا بَصِيرًا
And how many generations have We destroyed after Nuh (Noah)! And Sufficient is your Lord as an All-Knower and All-Beholder of the sins of His slaves.
Besides these verses, there are others that explains to Muslims the foundations, rulers and principles of civilisation on which their human society will be founded. They will take refuge in a place where they will possess all the constituents of power and sovereignty and form a cemented and strong structure. This indicates that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) will find a haven and safe place which he will settle in peacefully and take as a centre for his calling to spread all over the world.
Because of these significant reasons we can conclude that the journey of Al-Israa took place either before the 'Aqabah First Pledge of Allegiance or between both the first and second one.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
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