What Is The Buraaq And What Were It's Features?

[ummtaalib]

The name "Buraaq" is derived from the word "bareeq" which means "white " in Arabic. According to another view, its origin lies in the word "barq " which means "light", the speed of which is well-known; hence the name Buraaq.



From the narrations of Hadith, it is clear that before Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), other Prophets too had travelled upon it. For instance, Imaam Baihaqi relates in his Dalaa-ilun Nubuwwah (p.390 vol.2) that Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Other Prophets used to ride on it before me. "



The Prancing of the Buraaq in excitement and the reason for it
In the Sunan of Tirmizi, on the commentary of Surah Al lsraa, it is narrated that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "On the night of my journey, when the Buraaq was brought before me in a bridled and saddled state, it began to prance about. Jibraeel said to it, 'How dare you prance before Muhammad ? Nobody more honoured and beloved to Allah than Muhammad has ever ridden on your back before him.' When it heard this, the Buraaq immediately began to perspire heavily (and became submissive)."



It is mentioned in Dalaa-ilun Nubuwwah that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "No sooner did the Buraaq begin to prance, Jibraeel twisted its ears and helped me mount it. (Dalaa-ilun Nubuwwah (p.355 vol.2)". In some narrations, it is mentioned that when Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), reached Baitul Maqdis, Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam) carved a hole in the wall with his fingers and tied the Buraaq around it." (Ibn Katheer)



The reason for the excitement of the Buraaq
Some scholars believe that the Buraaq was excited because it was being used after a long time. Even during the period of Fatrah (i.e. the period in between the advent of Jesus-Eesa (Alaihis salaam) and Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) nobody had ridden upon it. It was now overjoyed at this newly-found privilege.(Fathul Baari Pg.207 Vol.7). Other scholars believe it to be on account of its sense of pride and ecstasy at the prospect of being honoured with the Last and the Noblest of all Prophets(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). This was similar to the occasion when Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), accompanied by Hadrat Abu Bakr, Hadrat Umar and Hadrat Usmaan (Radiallahu anhum) were on Mount Thabeer when it began to shudder. "Be still! " he ordered the mountain, 'for standing upon you is a Nabi, a Siddeeq, and two Martyrs." (Mishkaat p.562 from Tirmizi and Nasaee)



Certainly it is within the power of Allah Ta'ala to have transported Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) without the agency of the Buraaq. But He did so purely in order to honour and exalt him. Since travelling without a vehicle would have obviously meant that the journey would have had to be undertaken on foot, and travelling in a vehicle is far more dignified, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was taken by means of a conveyance." .(Fathul Baari Pg.206 Vol.7).



To Baitul Maqdis on the Buraaq and upto the heavens by a ladder
When Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) left Makkah for Baitul Maqdis, Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam) accompanied him on the back of the Buraaq. He sat in the front, as a guide, and seated Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) behind him..(Fathul Baari Pg.208 Vol.7). Like this, they travelled on the Buraaq until they reached Baitul Maqdis and performed two rakaat salaah each there. Then Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)led the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus salaam) in salaah.



When Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) set out for the heavens, a ladder of extraordinary beauty was lowered before him. According to some narrations, one ladder was of gold, and another of silver, while another narration adds that they were also studded with pearls. As they journeyed upwards by the ladder, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was escorted on his right and left by a procession of angels until they arrived in the heavens and had the doors opened there.



BAABUL HAFAZAH(The Gate of the Guardians)
It has been recorded that the gate to the first heaven is called Baabul Hafazah and that an angel named Ismaeel has been appointed over it. This angel has twelve thousand angels under his charge and each one of these angels in turn has another twelve thousand angels under his command. After mentioning this, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) recited the following verse: " And nobody knows the armies of your Lord except He." (Qur'an 74:31) - (Fathul Baari Pg.207-208 Vol.8- Seerah ibn Hisham).



Meeting the keeper of Jahannam in the first heaven and seeing Jahannam
When Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), entered the closest sky, every angel he met there, greeted him with great joy, and prayed (dua) for his well-being. However, there was one angel among them, who, despite meeting Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and making dua for him, did not smile. When he asked Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam) who this angel was, he replied, "This is Maalik, the keeper of Jahannam. If he were ever to smile at anyone before or after you, he would certainly have smiled when meeting you. But (truly) he does not smile."



Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) requested Jibraeel to tell him to show him Jahannam. Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam) said, "O Maalik! Show Muhammad the fire of Jahannam." He lifted the lid of Jahannam and immediately the flames of the fire leapt from the top. Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "O Jibraeel! Tell him to order Jahannam back to its place." At the instruction of Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam), the angel at once ordered the fire back to its place and replaced the lid over it.

Source: The Miracle of Mi'raaj- Mufti Aashiq Ilaahi Bulandshari

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net