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Name
Muslimah
- United States
Profession
Question
My question is: what are the lessons of Al-Israa' and how relevant are they to our today's world? How can make use of them in our daily lives?
Answer
Salam Muslimah,
Thank you for your question.
We read about the historic celestial journey of the Prophet in two chapters of the Holy Qur’an: Surat Al-Israa' and An-Najm.
One major significance of the journey is that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was charged with prophethood for the whole of humanity consisting chiefly of the children of Abraham by his eldest son Isma`il (Ishmael) (peace be upon him), and the second son Is-haq (Isaac) (peace be upon him).
These two lines are represented by Makkah and Jerusalem respectively.
Moreover, we find in this miraculous event that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him at Jerusalem was leading all other prophets in prayer in the Masjid Al-Aqsa. This is a wonderful event that symbolizes not only the oneness of both the masajid – i.e the Ka`bah and Al-Aqsa – but also the oneness of the Guidance of Allah given through all the prophets. Because Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him was sent as the leader of the East and the West for the entire human race until the end of time.
The Prophet’s Night-Journey also signifies that he is the inheritor of all the Prophets of old; because it was he who fulfilled and completed humanity’s religious development. His nightly journey from Makkah to Jerusalem expresses, in a figurative way, that the doctrine of Islam, preached by him, was final, universal and all-comprehensive, meant for every class and section of human society throughout the ages.
The journey of Israa' and Mi`raj of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a divine proclamation that he was far above the category of national or political leaders whose endeavors are limited to their own country and nation, for they serve the nations and races to which they belong and are a product of their time, at the most they serve the need of a particular epoch in history. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), on the contrary, belonged to the glorious line of the Messengers of Allah (peace and blessings be upon them all) who communicate the inspired message of Heaven to the earth. They are links between Allah and His creatures.
I believe that the most important lesson we can learn today from Israa' and Mi`raaj is: that the materialistic and merely empirical approach we adopt to our life’s problems has its limitations, and we need to open ourselves to the incommensurable impact of the Divine Will on our day to day life. This awareness should necessarily make a change in our life to depend on Allah Almighty rather than on our own limited capabilities. Also as an Ummah we should lead the way, and become witnesses before the world to something of the Divine Mercy and Justice, we can realize in our own life.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Anonymous
-
Profession
Question
Dear Dr. Shahul,
I think that many Muslims nowadays when they remember incidents of Islamic history like Al-Israa' they overlook the importance of such historical and miraculous event on our current daily lives. All of a sudden such important incidents people think of it as something to celebrate by cooking food or listening to lecture, meanwhile we find other nations are looking deep into their history and write analytical academic studies about it. I know my question may not be focused. But how can we revive the spirit of the lessons taught by Al-Israa'? Thank you and I appreciate you took the time to read my question.
Answer
Salam Anonymous,
Thank you for your question.
Please read my answer to Muslimah above.
It is true that we often overlook the importance of events like Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj. But it would be an exaggeration to say that other nations are studying these events more than we do.
One of the lessons we can imbibe from the Prophet's Night Journey is to realize that as the Prophet has surpassed time and space to declare the oneness of the Divine Message, we too need to be large-hearted instead of being narrow minded: we need to become torch-bearers of the eternal message of Islam taught by all the Prophets of Islam with the full conviction that our Prophet received it directly from the Master and Sovereign of the universe.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Ahmed
- Egypt
Profession
Translator - Egypt
Question
Assalamu `Alaikum respected Sheikh,
Many Muslims are well aware of the stories that are usually related when touching upon the event of Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj. Little, however, is ever said about how to make use of this blessed event so as to bring about a positive change in our status quo. How can we let Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj's lessons reflect in our own lives.
In short, how can I, as an ordinary Muslim, benefit from this miracle?
Thanks a lot,
Salaam
Answer
Walykum As-Salam Ahmed,
Thank you for your question.
The stories that are narrated about Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj have their own charm; but as you say, they need to have an impact on our lives.
As I said in my answer to Muslimah, we need to realize the limitations of our materialistic attitude to our life and times. We need to be fully aware of the Divine Will - the Presence of Allah Almighty in control of everything - and dedicate our life to Him. For this we should first make our life good enough to dedicate to Him; which means that we need to take double care to lead a life of obedience to the commandments of Allah Almighty in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
And Allah knows best.
Name
fatimah
- Canada
Profession
student
Question
What was the name of the creature the prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) rode to the heavens? Is it a heavenly creature?
Answer
Salam Fatimah,
Thank you for your question.
The name of the creature the Prophet rode is known as 'Buraq'. Buraq has been described in Collected Hadith in these words:
"The Buraq (lightning-mount), (is) handsome-faced and bridled, a tall, white beast, bigger than the donkey but smaller than the mule. He could place his hooves at the farthest boundary of his gaze. He had long ears. Whenever he faced a mountain his hind legs would extend, and whenever he went downhill his front legs would extend. He had two wings on his thighs which lent strength to his legs……"
As Buraq was on earth at the time the Prophet mounted it; but then only Allah knows whether it is a heavenly creature or not.
Name
Shadi
-
Profession
Question
Dear Dr. Shahul, As-Salamu Alykum. I believe that one of the most important lessons of Al-Israa' is high status of Al-Aqsa for Muslims. So, I think that it is the time to remember Al-Qasa and work for its liberation for the ocupying Jews. How we can make use of the occasion to remind the Ummah of this important lesson?
Answer
Salam Shadi,
Thank you for your question.
You are perfectly right about Masjid Al-Aqsa.
Masjid Al-Aqsa is is the third most sacred mosque in the world (after Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Medinah). The entire area of 35 acres consisting of the Dome of the Rock and Masjid Al-Aqsa and gardens is regarded as Baitul-Maqdis or Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and is said to comprise nearly one sixth of the walled city of Jerusalem.
The importance of Masjid Al-Aqsa is derived from the following:|
1. It is the first Qiblah of the Muslims
2. It is the second house of Allah built on earth
3. It is the station of Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj (the miraculous journey of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
4. It is the place where hundreds of Messengers of Allah are buried
5. It is the only place on earth where all the Messengers of Allah prayed at the same time led by the Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
6. It is the only Masjid mentioned by name in the Glorious Qur’an apart from the Ka`bah... and so on.
It is for the above reasons among others, that Muslims hold the Masjid Al-Aqsa as a sacred place, and consider its safety and sanctity as of foremost significance.
I quote the eminent scholar Dr. Sano Koutoub Moustapha, professor of Fiqh and its Principles, International Islamic University, Malaysia:
"Surely Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj is a great and memorable occasion for all Muslims around the globe. It is also an occasion to remind ourselves about our duty and obligation towards our beloved brothers and sisters in Palestine.
We should increase all levels of assistance to the Palestinians who have been living for decades under unjust oppression and occupation. I am sorry to say that the Muslims would be considered sinful by continuing to simply watch the atrocities and humiliation poured upon the Palestinians without doing anything.
Certainly, there is a dire need to try all possible means and methods that will put a quick end to the barbaric and inhumane treatment to the Palestinians in their homeland by the Zionists. At the very least, this blessed occasion should be celebrated by renewing calls to all Muslims to fear Allah concerning the Palestinians. The suffering is increasing and there seems to be no end in sight to the ways they are humiliated on a daily basis.
This occasion should remind all Muslims about their obligation towards liberating Al-Aqsa mosque. Let us pray for the best and let us hope to be allowed to pray in this mosque which is the third sacred mosque in Islam."
I cannot improve upon the above words of wisdom.
May Allah Almighty help us and guide us all!
Name
Mark
- Australia
Profession
Question
Remember Mohamed first went to Jerusalem before going to heaven. Why wasn't there any direct route from Mecca to heaven? Doesn't it tell you something????
Answer
Salam Mark,
Thank you for your interesting question.
First of all, there is no denying the importance of Jerusalem, as that city was made holy by the presence of a number of prophets of old, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
But Muhammad, peace be upon him, was the Final Prophet who came to complete and perfect the Divine Mission. Probably (Allah knows) that was why God decided that there should be a real event of immense spiritual significance that establishes that Muhammad was the one prophet who came to lead all other prophets of God, so that the matter is made clear and evident to all who have the hearts and minds to understand.
Secondly, it was not a question of Muhammad (pbuh) finding a route on his own from Makkah to heaven. It was Allah Almighty Himself Who decided that He should travel to Jerusalem; and it was He Who provided the means to perform that wonderful journey.
If you suggest that Jerusalem is the route to heaven because of Moses or Jesus, you can understand that Makkah is sacred because of the Master of Mankind, Abraham, besides Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Also it is well worth remembering that Jews, Christians and Muslims are originally the children of Abraham, and they share the same Semitic religioius tradition. Just as the Christians honor the Jewish prophets, Muslims honor the Jewish prophets and Jesus. And just as Jesus came to fulfill the promise made to Moses by Jehovah about a Messiah, Muhammad came to fulfill the promise made to Moses of a Prophet like him and the promise made to Jesus of the Spirit of Truth - Paraclete - who would come to fulfill God's Guidance.
The foregoing also points to the need to clinch the whole process of prophetic guidance through the Final Prophet and also to the need of the Final Prophet establishing his status by a stupendous event like Al-Israa' / Al-Mi`raj.
In other words, by the Night Journey, the Prophet made such an impact on the spiritual world of not only Muslims, but also of the Jews and the Christians. Because this Journey - especially the Prophet leading the prayer of the prophets in Masjid Al-Aqsa - confirms the claim of Muhammad's followers to being the rightful heirs of Abraham, Moses and Jesus, as well as of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
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