Mi’raj is an Arabic word meaning “ladder, to elevate, or to ascend”. In Islamic literature it is used for the night journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when he was miraculously taken to the presence of Almighty Allah (God) in Heaven. It happened on the night of the 26th of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, in the year 621 AD, one year before the Prophet’s migration to Medina. Allah the Almighty says, “Glory be to Him, who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque to the Further Mosque the precincts of which We have blessed, that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the All-hearing, the All-seeing” (Al-Quran 17: 1). Scholars agree that the Mi’raj, is the subject of the following verses of Surah Al-Najm, “By the star when it sets! Your companion has not strayed; he is not deluded; he does not speak from his own desire”. The Quran is a revelation that is sent to him. It was taught to him by Jibril, Who stood on the highest horizon and then approached coming down until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer and revealed to Allah’s servant what He revealed. Details and discussions of the Prophet’s journey are found in Hadith and Sirah literature. All narratives however agree that Jibril wakes Muhammad (SAW) from his sleep and leads him to the Buraq…a white mount, which takes him off to his journey. The Buraq carries the Prophet to the Mosque, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Jibril splits open the Prophet’s chest, remove his heart and wash it with Zamzam water. He then brings a vessel made of gold containing wisdom and faith which he empties into the Prophet’s heart and then closes up his chest.
“The Isra is symbol of two things; first it shows Allah’s grace and favor upon the Prophet (SAW). Allah chooses none but him to lead all other Prophets and messengers in prayer thereby consolidating his superior status. Second, it declares the universality of Islam and signifies that it is the seal of all other messages and laws. May Almighty Allah bless us all on this sacred occasion of Shabi Mi’raj and give us strength to live a life of peace and prosperous”.
The Prophet was offered two cups one of milk and the other containing wine. The Prophet chooses to drink the milk. Jibril tells him, “Praise is to Allah Who guided you to the fitrah (right path)” (Bukhari). With Jibril as his companion, the Prophet sets off on the Buraq at unique speed to Al-Aqsa Mosque where he finds Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, among a company of the Prophets assembled and waiting for him. The prayer call was made and the Prophet was invited to lead the prayer. This part of the journey, the Isra, represents the Prophet’s straight journey across the visible physical world. The sanctification and purification of the Prophet (SAW), represented by the splitting of his chest is a necessary preliminary to his ascension to the heavens. It prepares Him for the journey to another dimension beyond time and space and opens up his heart to what he is about to see and experience. Most important is that, it prepares Him for his journey to meet with his Lord. The Isra is symbol of two things; first it shows Allah’s grace and favor upon the Prophet (SAW). Allah chooses none but him to lead all other Prophets and messengers in prayer thereby consolidating his superior status. Second, it declares the universality of Islam and signifies that it is the seal of all other messages and laws. May Almighty Allah bless us all on this sacred occasion of Shabi Mi’raj and give us strength to live a life of peace and prosperous.
