Isra and Me`raj

Isra and Me`raj, two miraculous events in the history of Islam,  are celebrated by many Muslims in the month of Rajab. They are examples of some of the many milestones that have changed the course of Islamic Faith and practices. Although both events took place consecutively on the same night, they exhibit different meanings and significance.

Isra means a journey taken at night which, in this case, is the journey on which the Prophet Mohammad was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem on al-Buraaq during this night. This journey is briefly mentioned and referred to in the Surah al-Isra Surah number 15.

Me`raj is the ascension by the prophet Mohammad from Jerusalem to the seventh heaven and beyond, passing through all other heavenly stages, meeting and greeting other main and major prophets on the way. Details of Me`raj and his ascension to heaven are mentioned mainly in the Surah al-Najm.

Many Muslims celebrate these two events in Rajab, the 7^th month of Islamic calendar, which is regarded as being the month in which both events took place. However, there is no definitive record of the day, date or the month in which these two events were granted to the Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him.

Indeed different narratives put the events in months other than Rajab - for example in Rabi al-awal or in dhul-Qa`dah. Indeed some scholars suggest they took place a year before the Hijra (the migration of the Prophet and the Muslims from Makkah to Madinah), while others suggest it was sixteen months before the Hijra. Further opinions place the occurrences three years before the Hijra, while others position them as occurring five years or even six years before the hijrah.

What is confirmed is that they did take place in the Makkan period and before the Hijra. However, there is no authentic narration which confirms that they took place in Rajab and there are many scholars that regard all these opinions as fabrication.

It is important to note that these two events were never celebrated at the time of the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, nor in the time of the Companions or after them. Their importance, despite this, was and is, regarded as paramount. Indeed the first Caliph of Islam, Abu Bakr, was given the title of ‘Siddique’ for being the one who testified to the truth of the claim by the Prophet that these two events took place, contrary to denials expressed by opponents and  other weak believers.

What has become increasingly disturbing is that people seek to celebrate such occasions in the name of their religion when such activities have no essence or roots in the religious teachings. Isra and Me`raj are, of course, recognised as two very important events in the Islamic calendar, not least because it was on this occasion that the Five daily obligatory salaah (Prayers) were prescribed for Muslims. Therefore it is the five daily salaah, the cornerstone of Islamic religious and spiritual practice and the essence of Islam, that need to be celebrated.

The Salaah were special gifts granted to the Prophet on this journey, both to him and to his Ummah. The daily Salaah are the means by which we confirm our spiritual relationship with Allah, our symbol of submission and obedience to Him, and present one pathway in becoming a righteous and pious Muslim. If we want to celebrate the event of Me`raj then there is nothing better than remaining steadfast with our daily salaah, thereby strengthening our relationship with Allah every day.

On his journey, the Prophet Mohammad, at each heavenly stage, met with a prominent prophet from the past.

On the first heaven, the Prophet met with Adam, the father of humanity, who welcomed him there. Then he was taken to the second heaven where he met both John the Baptist and Jesus the son of Mary. On the third heaven he was met with Yusuf, Joseph while on the fourth he met with Idrees, Enoch.

On the fifth heaven he met Aaron and on the sixth he met Moses. Then he was graced on the seventh heaven by Abraham (Ibrahim). All of them welcomed him and confirmed his prophetic mission.

From there he ascended to the ‘sidratul muntaha’ and where there he was graced by being taken to the Lord of the worlds where he was granted, as a gift, the five daily salaah.

The events of Isra and Me`raj are both symbolic and indicative of the future leadership of humanity. Allah granted this gracious journey and ascension towards Him to indicate that this Prophet and his Ummah now have the future mission of leading humanity to Allah. It should be seen as the official divine seal of approval and as intended to bestow confidence in the hearts of the prophet and his followers about their future roles in the cause of Allah.

The Quran says: ‘Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Word. Truly the rising by night is a time when impression is more keen and speech more certain. True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties. But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly. He is Lord of the East and the West, there is no god but He. Take Him therefore for thy Disposer of Affairs’. S73 V5-9

And it says in the S3 V110: ‘You are now the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. Had the people of the Book believed, it were better for them. Some of them are believers but most of them are transgressors’.

The above verses lay down future roles for the Muslim Ummah in the greater scheme of Allah and the services Muslims must safeguard and protect for the benefit of all mankind.  Hence, it is of the greatest importance that the Muslim community continue to reflect upon the roles set for them in the light of this divine direction and that they offer their services to mankind and convey the good words of their Lord with wisdom and beautiful speech.