I believe that one of the important lessons we can derive from this journey is enhancing our belief in the Unseen. The whole journey was a mater of the unseen and when people first heard of the story, some people, as the books of biography reported, renounced Islam altogether.
Could you please comment on this dimension?
Answer
Thank you for your kind comment and indeed it was a great and wonderful journey for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). We shall learn so many things from this journey in an attempt to strengthen our belief in the message of the Prophet. We shall deeply remind ourselves about our noble duty towards Al-Aqsa and beloved people of Al-Aqsa!
It is so hard and painful to see them been deprived and denied their rights in living in their homeland by the oppressors and unjust occupants! It is more disheartening to see 1.3 billions Muslims helpless and watching people of Al-Maqdis experiencing all sorts of oppression and atrocities.
Let us pray the Almighty to put a quick end to this oppression and inhuman treatment of beloved people of Al-Aqsa Al-Mubarak. Do always remember them in your prayers and do your level of best to assist in all possible manners.
As for those who are inquiring about the nature of the journey, we shall draw their intention that the most important part is to believe in the message of the Prophet and think about the brotherhood of all Prophets and Messengers of Allah. In this regard, all sorts of violence and oppression against followers of the religions of the Prophets are individually-based and they have nothing to do with the real nature of divine religions which call for peace and justice.
May Allah guide us and protect the humanity against oppression and injustice.
Name
Maha
-
Profession
Question
Respected scholar, I would like to know the lessons we can take from the great incident of Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj? jazakum Allahu khairan!
Answer
Thank you for your kind question.
As I said earlier, it is a time of reflection and serious thinking about people of Al-Aqsa who are living today under oppression and all sorts of atrocities. Their lands are occupied and their human rights are taken away from them unjustly!
Today we shall all remember those martyrs who were killed in Al-Aqsa Al-Mubarak! Today we shall renew and strengthen our belief in the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
This journey and its contents should be a comprehensive agenda to move forward and re-arrange our lives and deeds in accordance with the Will of Allah. As we know well that in this journey the Prophet was showed the Paradise as well as the Hellfire. He was showed the punishments awaiting those people who don't fulfill their obligations or commit sinful deeds in their lives.
Let us learn from this journey that the relationship among the followers of religions should be based on tolerance and cooperation not on killing or occupying lands and destroying lives and properties. There are so many lessons we can learn from this journey.
Name
Abdul Jabbar
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Profession
Question
The books of Sirah (Prophet's biography) say that when people heard of the event of Al-Israa', some rejected Islam and denounced it. The Qur'an mentions that this journey was "but a trial for people" (Al-Isra': 60). The Question is, why at this critical time when Muslims were suffering Quraish's persecution and pressure, and they apparently were in no need of further troubles? I am sure that there is a wisdom behind choosing this critical time for posing such test. Could you please shed some light on this wisdom.
Answer
Thank you for your kind question.
Surely, it was a test and a trial for people in order to know those who sincerely believe in the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It was not a tough trial for those who have strong iman as it is in line with the message brought by the Prophet. In order words, if one believes in what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reporting about the Will of Allah, then he or she should not get any difficulty in believing in this journey. Therefore, Abu-Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) argued those who went to asked about this issue before meeting Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: 'If I believe in him reporting about Allah, why I should not believe in him about this journey.'
Having said that, it was the suitable time to know those who really and sincerely believe in the message of Prophet from those who are hypocrites and doubtful about his message.
This occasion reminds us today of the critical and difficult time in which Muslims are living. So many people are desperate and hopeless. Some even are trying through different actions and deeds to distance themselves from this beautiful and true religion. This is due to the fear and unjust treatment of the Muslim Ummah by some powerful nations in the world!
It is time to strengthen our belief and deepen our commitment towards our religion. We shall believe that the truth will and must prevail one day. The down will have to come no matter how long the dark will take! Let us take this occasion as a remembrance to all of us that the current political and economic situations of Muslims are abnormal and will have an end one day! We shall prepare ourselves and our generations for that day!
Name
Manfield
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
How can we utilize the occasion of Al-`Israa' and Al-Mi`raj to better our religious performance as individuals and help push forward the status of Muslims in today's world on all tracks?
Answer
Thank you.
Muslims should always set examples to others in their hard working, discipline, courage, compassion, cooperation and contribution to the wellbeing of mankind. We shall take this opportunity to strengthen our belief in the Oneness of Allah and the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Yet, it is evident that the world is in a dire need to further leadership which is more human and just to all. There must an end to the suffering and atrocities of oppressed people around the globe especially the people of Al-Aqsa. They have been suffering for almost a decade, their lands have been occupied and confiscated unjustly!
Let us remember them today and do our best to assist them in their fair and just struggle to get back their lands. Allah is All-Powerful and He knows better.
Name
Hamid
-
Profession
Question
Now Muslims face challenges that seem harder and more difficult than that early Muslims faced. The journey of Al-Israa' came to support the Prophet. Now, how can Muslims receive such support. Is there still a chance for Muslims to rectify their status? Thanks.
Answer
Thank you.
The current political and economic situations of Muslims are disheartening and very difficult. Certainly, we are experiencing a similar situation that was faced by Muslims in Makkah. Al-Israa' was then made as a trial in order to distinguish the real believers from the hypocrites!
Those who were possessing real and sincere iman crossed the event with stronger belief in the bright future of Islam and Muslims. Those who were living in doubt and hypocrisy lost their faith in Islam and turned their backs to it!
Today, the oppressions and atrocities are pushing those who are weak in their iman to distance themselves from Islam in order to please oppressors and arrogant! These people forget that Islam will and must prevail one day. In that day they will regret and it will be too late!
All in all, do always remember and bear in mind that the current situations are trials and tests for all. The winners will always uphold their belief and strengthen their commitments to the religion while the losers will do everything to gain the praise of others at the expense of their own religion.
Name
concerned
- United States
Profession
Question
Why do you think Al-Isra' took place at this time of the year?
Answer
Thank you.
Al-Israa' took place at this time of the year according to the authentic sources of Islamic history which confirm that Israa' tookplace in this month on this day! Since we believe in our history, we shall believe in what is said by it.
Although, it is not important to discuss the day and date of Al-Israa' it is extremely important to draw fruitful lessons from this miraculous journey such as thinking about Al-Aqsa and its people who are going through horrible and inhuman oppression!
Name
Martyrdom - Loving
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Profession
Question
After years of struggle and resistance, the brave resistance of the Palestinians managed to force the zionists to run away from Gaza and in sha' Allah, they will leave Palestine altogether.
Dear scholar, in the memory of the blessed journey, can you give us practical tips to help and support our brothers and sisters in Palestine. How can we share with them the reward of defending our cherished Mosque of Al-Aqsa, while we can not got to it?
Answer
Thank you for your kind question.
Indeed, we shall think and share the feelings of those beloved brothers and sisters who are living under oppression and occupation for almost a decade.
As how to share with them the reward of defending Al-Aqsa, that could be done at our level of best. Starting from praying for them, sponsoring the education of the desperate, defending their just and fair cause, building houses for those who have their houses destroyed etc..
The people of Maqdis are calling upon all Muslims today to do all possible means and manners in order to put a quick end to their atrocities. We shall be very concerned and sharing towards their feelings and state of sadness in which they have been living!
Do donate to them whatever you can, do explain the justice of their cause and the danger of oppression against the humanity!
All in all don't forget them in your prayers as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, "Whoever doesn't concern himself about the affairs of his fellow Muslims, he isn't among them."
Let us confirm that we are among them. God is Great and All-knowing!
Name
Zakaria
- Malaysia
Profession
Lecturer
Question
As-Salamu `alaikum.
Can you explain the details of Al-Israa' which is experienced by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the lessons behind it to all Muslims in this modern world?
Thank you for your kind question.
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-Salam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Al-Israa' stands for traveling at night, thus the holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) traveled at night with the angel of Allah from Makkah, especifically from a house near As-Safa. It is a real, physical and spiritual journey. It is not a dream as some people claimed wrongly!
This journey was a miracle and a shock to Makkahns who could not believe in having a journey of 3 months in a night! They wrongly and unlogically compared their limited power to the power of the Almighty who created the time and space and He has control upon wings and everything in this world!
However, this journey was meant for many reasons and insights namely, a confirmation of the message of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who was able to relate to the Makkans what he was showed in Baitul-Maqdis. It was also a trial and a test for stronger believers and doubtful ones.
Moreover, it was meant to show the relationship between the Prophets of Allah. The Prophet met Prophet Musa, and other Prophets, and he was brought to the highest level of Heaven which is called sidratul muntaha! This is a confirmation of his status among the Prophets.
In addition, we learn so many lessons from this journey as I have mentioned some earlier. But most importantly, we learn that we shall strengthen and solidate our belief during the crisis and difficult times as we are experiencing today. These difficult and critical times are meant to examine and test our belief in this great religion.
There is no room in Islam for desperation, giving up and hopelessness no matter how worst is the current situation of Muslim. Our sisters should not take off their signal of decency due to pressure and unjust treatment to Islam and Muslims. There is no room for hiding our adherence, and belongingness to Islam. We shall be deeper and stronger in our commitment to our religion and faith. It is evident and certain that Islam must and will prevail sooner or later.
Let us be today, those strangers whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned them in his hadith. He (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "Islam started stranger and a time will come when it will become again a stranger". There is a great reward for those strangers who will maintain and submit themselves fully to the Wills of Allah!
All in all, we must have faith in Allah, in our religion, and in the Messenger of Allah. With this, the very awaited dawn will come soon, God willing.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Name
W. Shihab
-
Profession
Question
Dear Dr. Sano, As-Salamu `alaykum.
I like seeing you in Live services at IOL.
Regarding Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj, there is a difference among Muslim scholars, even among the Companions, on the question that whether the Prophet saw His Lord in that journey or not. In light of such differences, how can we achieve the aspired unity of the Ummah, particularly I know that you are a head of an institution devoted for the Unity of the Ummah?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
Thank you for your kind question.
Truly, there is a difference among companions and consequently among scholars whether the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw His Lord in that journey or not! However, this kind of issues is a subject to disagreement due the speculative nature of sources which reported this part of the journey.
As you know well, some schools of thought put conditions for accepting Hadiths which are related to Unseen issues. Accordingly, they were of the opinion that the Prophet did not see His Lord in that journey. Others have different ways of looking at this issue. However, one should accept these differences. Thus, there is no practical implication for either opinion. We are not obliged to find out whether the Prophet saw His Lord in that journey or not. But, we are all obliged to believe in the journey and learn useful and practical lessons from it. For sure, this issue should not lead to any disunity among Muslims. It is similar to the different ways of performing our prayers.
As far as we believe in principle in the authenticity of this journey, we shall have a room for difference about the details of the journey. I am full of hope that Muslims around the globe will be thinking today deeply and sincerely about our beloved fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children in the occupied land in Palestine. We shall remember and feel their atrocities, the difficult and very inhuman conditions in which they have been living under oppression! It is said that the common suffering unite the people, and that is why all of us should be united against injustice and oppression done in Al-Aqsa. Shall we accept and live together with minor differences among ourselves? Shall we all stand firm and united against oppression and occupation of Iraqi people lands and dignity? Shall we all uphold the good names and image of our beautiful religion in this difficult and critical situations of Muslims in world?
Let us work hand-in-hand and unite all against disunity, oppression, depression and desperation.
May Allah protect our brothers and sisters in Al-Aqsa.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
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Answer
Finally, we would like to thank Dr. Sano Koutoub Moustapha for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We request our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
