Though many and really great events took place on that night of Al-Israa', two in particular make me stop and reflect time and again on their significance and symbolism. These are the purification of the Prophet's heart by Zamzam water and his choice of the cup of milk to drink of, the other cup being filled with wine.

These two events are mentioned in Sahih Al-Bukhari:

Abu Dharr narrated that the Prophet was in Makkah and Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) descended, opened his chest, washed it with Zamzam water, filled it with wisdom and faith, and then closed it.

Abu Hurairah narrated that two vessels were then brought to the Prophet, one containing milk and the other wine. The Prophet drank the milk. Jibreel then said, "You have taken the right path. If you had taken the wine, your nation would have gone astray."

What do these two events stand for?

The purification of the Prophet's heart and filling it with wisdom were a sign of perfecting the Prophet's personality to be able to impart these noble qualities to his Ummah and to lead humankind to the right path. Being his followers, we are to take him as a model for our life, purifying our hearts every now and then. We should seek to free ourselves of grudge and ill feelings towards our fellow humans. We are required also to seek wisdom and true knowledge, wherever it is.

The choice between milk and wine is also symbolic. Let's see what both drinks symbolize. Milk represents health and purity whereas wine reminds us of alcohol-addiction, health-damaging effects, and moral deterioration. Hence, the choice between them is, by contemplation, tantamount to choosing between right and wrong, between good and evil. The Prophet's choice of milk, thus, symbolizes the righteousness, wisdom, and purity of the path he chose for himself, and, by the same token, for his followers.

So, here we have three characteristics that should pervade and prevail the life of each of us. Righteousness, wisdom, and purity form a triangle framework for the path of Islam. Righteousness keeps your relationship to Allah safe and sound; wisdom ensures proper behavior towards all components and elements of the universe you live in, and purity brings love and peace in your relation with your fellow humans.