Some Lessons From Mi'raaj- Synopsis

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Some Lessons from Mi'raaj- Synopsis



1.Sublime Position of Salaah: The greatest gift given on this miraculous journey on Mi'raj was the gift of salaah. The importance of this great gift is evident by the fact that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyh wassallam) was called personally to the heavens and beyond to receive this injunction, whereas most other injunctions were given on earth via Jibraeel(alaiyhis salaam). Moreover, the fact that Jibraeel(alaiyhis salaam) descended the very next day after Mi'raj to teach Nabi(sallallahu alaiyh wassallam) the finer points of the method of salaah, highlights it's importance.


2.Neglect of Salaah: During Mi'raj, Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) passed by a group of people whose heads were being crushed with boulders. After becoming smashed, their heads would again resume their original shape, only to be crushed again. This process would continue ceaselessly. When he asked Jibraeel (Alaihis salaam) who they were, he replied that they were those people who were neglectful of their salaah. During the time of salaah, they would remain asleep.


3.Salaah with congregation: We notice that Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) performed salaah in congregation with all the Ambiya in Masjidul-Aqsa. This also illustrates the importance of salaah in congregation. Besides the warnings on discarding salaah with the congregation, many virtues have also been mentioned for observing salaat with congregation. Abdullah bin Umar(radhiallaha anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, " Salaah performed in congregation exceeds the salaah performed individually(in reward) by twenty five times." (Sahih Bukhari Vol.1)


4.Zamzam Water: In the incident of Mi'raaj, it has also been recorded that the blessed chest of Nabi (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was opened, and his heart removed and washed in
the water of Zam Zam, and then replaced and restored to its original condition. In today's modern, scientific age, when the practice of surgery has become an ordinary everyday occurrence, this is not at all difficult to believe. And since no other water was used, but the Blessed water of Zam Zam was used to wash the noble heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), we can clearly understand the merit and excellence of this water.


5.Importance of Masjidul Aqsa in Islam: The fact that Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was taken to this Glorified Masjid and not to any other Masjid to perform salaah and lead the Ambiyaa, illustrates the pivotal role it plays in the life of a Muslim. In a hadith narrated by Hazrat Anas(R.A.): Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that "the reward for salaah in his Masjid(Masjidun Nabawi) and in that of Masjidul Aqsa is of 50 000 prayers, but the reward of salaah in the kaaba is equal to a 100 000 prayers." (Ibn Majah)


6.Some Meritorious recitations given during Mi'raj:

1.Revelation of the last few verses of Surah Al Baqarah (i.e. from " Aa-manar-rasoolu bimaa un-zila ilayhi mir-rab-bihee wal-mu'-minoon....till the end).


2.Increase recitation of 3 rd Kalimah: Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "On the night of Mi'raj, I met Hazrat Ibraheem(alaiyhis salaam) and he said to me, O Muhammad ! Convey my salaam to your Ummah and inform them that undoubtedly the soil of Jannah is pure, its water is sweet, its ground is barren and its plants are: "Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wala ilaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar."



7.Admonitions and Punishments witnessed during Mi'raj: During this journey Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was shown the different punishments meted out to those who transgressed and were dis-obedient. These experiences serve as a warning to the Ummah to refrain from dis-obedience and those actions that displease Allah Subhana Wata'ala.

1.Refrain from Teaching without practicing: Punishment for this is "lips were being slit with scissors of fire- they are the khateebs who command people to do good deeds while forgetting their own selves."


2.Refrain from Slandering: Punishment for this is "people who had fingernails of copper and they were raking their own faces and chests with them."


3.Refrain from Consuming Interest: Punishment for this is "people with bellies as huge as houses (in which people stay) and inside their bellies were snakes which were visible from the outside."


4.Refrain from fornication and adultery: Punishment for this is: " These people were eating the decayed meat and leaving the cooked meat untouched."


5.Refrain from Abusing peoples trust: Punishment for this is: " A man who was struggling to carry a very large bundle of wood which he was unable to bear, yet he wanted to carry even more."

6.Refrain from witholding Zakaat: Punishment for this is: "They were eating Daree'(a thorny plant of the fire of Jahannam) and Zaqqoom( a most bitter and foul smelling tree growing at the bottom of Jahannam) and the smouldering stones of Jahannam."
7.In short all these punishments were shown to Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) so that he may warn mankind to abandon sin and transgression and encourage mankind to obedience and goodness. It is through His Divine Mercy that Allah Ta'ala has shown these incidents to mankind, so that one has the opportunity, now in this world to mend one's ways before it is too late.

8.To believe and practice un-conditionally as Hazrat Abu Bakr(R.A.) did: It was belief that distinguished Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and placed him in a rank never to be equalled or surpassed by any of the companions or those who would come after them. Abu Bakr(R.A.) was known by the nickname ‘as-Siddiq (the believer)’ more than his real name. He gained that nickname because he immediately and unconditionally believed in what the prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said about his journey to the heavens. Abu Bakr(R.A.) had based his Imaan on his belief and practiced accordingly; Abu Bakr(R.A.)’s belief is that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is the Informer. His practice of that was based upon the fact that Allah is the Legislator. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from His Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Messengers. (They say), ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).’ (2:285) The lesson for us, the Muslims, is that if it is in the Qur’an or reported authentically as a Sunnah, then we should believe in it, and act upon it.

In Summary:

The Sahaba(radhiallahu anhum), however fully appreciated the gift of Mi'raj. They would never forego any salaah without any valid excuse to such an extent that a person who could not walk to the Masjid would be carried by two Sahaba and brought to the Masjid to perform salaah in congregation.



Furthermore, we learn from the incident of Mi'raj, the importance of us strictly refraining from all vices and sins; especially those mentioned( adultery, consuming interest, speaking lies etc.). We should try to please our Glorious Creator and try our best not to transgress His Divine laws in anyway. At the same time, it was also announced that the major sins of those in the ummah of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) who do not ascribe partners with Allah will be forgiven. (Sahih Muslim p. 97 Vol. 1). This means that they will not suffer eternal punishment on account of their major sins, but will instead be pardoned either through tawba (sincere repentance) and istighfaar (seeking the forgiveness of Allah), or after first being punished for their sins.(An Nawawi).



We also understand, that from the incidents narrated, that the successful believer will attain Jannah and all the promised luxuries that are within it. Description of Jannah, the Damsels of Jannah and the various splendours have all been shown to our beloved Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) as an encouragement for the righteous.



This is what the Sahaba have preserved regarding Mi'raj. This is what they practiced upon and propagated to others. Hence it is imperative that we take heed of these aspects and act accordingly.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net