Wednesday June 22, 2016
Kabul (BNA) The Prophet Mohammad’s Meraj or (Night Journey) has been the best of the Laila-ul-Qadr’s nights, during which He (PBUH) had been taken to the skies by the Jebreel, the angel of message, as ordered by The Allah Almighty. All the Muslim believers celebrate this as a grand day of Meraj as “Grand Eid” and all the Muslims should be proud to have such a prophet like Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him and his progeny, to whom Almighty Allah was also proud and had invited him to visit and talked with very nearer distance as mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an. Also note that, the Meraj of the Holy Prophet has taken place more than once. However, it should be mentioned that Meraj in which the daily Salat was made incumbent and without doubt. The darkness of the night had spread across the horizon and silence reigned over the face of nature. The time had arrived when the living creatures take rest and sleep so that they might recuperate from their activities of the previous day. Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was also not an exception to this law of nature and he wished to take rest after offering his prayers in the house of “Umm-e-Hani”, the daughter of his uncle and sister of Amir al-Mominin Ali (pbuh) in the blessed city of Makkah.
However, suddenly he heard a voice; it was the voice of the Archangel Jibreel (pbuh) who said to him: “This night you have to perform a very unique journey and I have been ordered to remain with you. You will have to traverse different parts of the world mounted on an animal named al-Buraq.” Holy Prophet Muhammad began his historical night journey, along with the trusted protector of the revelation, the Angel Jibreel. “After some time, Angel Jibreel (pbuh) stopped Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said to perform the Salat. Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) dismounted from al-Buraq and performed Salat. Jibreel said, ‘Do you know where you just prayed?’ Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) replied in negative. Jibreel (pbuh) said, ‘In Madina Taibah, that place where your travelers will go.’ After this, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) got back onto al-Buraq and continued the journey.”
“Once again, Angel Jibreel (pbuh) stopped Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said, ‘Perform the Salat.’ Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once again dismounted al-Buraq, and performed Salat there. Jibreel asked Him, ‘Do you know where you just prayed?’ It is the Mountain of Sinai - the place where Prophet Musa [Moses (pbuh)] spoke to Allah, the Almighty.
“Once again, the Holy Prophet ascended al-Buraq and continued. Shortly afterwards, Angel Jibreel (pbuh) said, ‘Get down and perform the Salat.’ Then again Jibreel Amin questioned, ‘Do you know where you just prayed?’ Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) replied in negative, to which he answered, In Bait al-Laham (Bethlehem) - the place which is near to Baitul Maqddas and this is the place where Prophet Isa al-Masih (pbuh) was born.” Then they reached Baitul Maqdis and entered the Masjid and it was here that he met Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and the rest of the Prophets (peace be upon them). They all gathered around him and they all proceeded to get ready for Salat. The Holy Prophet had no doubt that the Salat would be led by Angel Jibreel (pbuh), however when the lines for the Salat were being formed, Angel Jibreel (pbuh) placed his hand on the shoulder of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and pushed forward. Angel Jibreel (pbuh) also took part in the Salat behind him along with the various Prophets (peace be upon them.)
On the second part of his journey, he proceeded from this spot to the skies (heavens). The Holy Prophet Muhammad then observed the stars and the systems of the world and conversed with the souls of the previous prophets, and also with the angels of the heavens, peace and blessing be upon them all. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) saw the center of the tortures and the blessings (hell and heaven) and became fully aware of the secrets of creation, the extent of the universe and the signs of the Omnipotent Allah. Then Holy Prophet continued his journey and reached Sidrat ul Muntaha (Beyond this point nobody has access including Angel Jibreel. There he found it fully covered with splendor, magnificence and grandeur, and then he returned back by the way he had traveled. The Holy Prophet first came to Baitul Maqdis and then to Makkah. It was daybreak when he dismounted at the house of Umm-e-Hani from al-Buraq which had taken him into space. This is one of the glories the Prophet of Islam Mohammad (pbuh) received from the Allah Almighty during His journeys and night ascension.
Massouda Qarizada