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Muslims to mark Mi’raaj

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Lailatul Mi’raaj will be observed across South Africa and parts of the world on Saturday night with great respect and devotion, as Muslims mark the countdown to Ramadan. Rajab is the month most memorable for the journey of Israa and Mi’raaj in which the gift of salah was handed down to our Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). “Israa” is translated to ‘night journey’ whereas “Mi’raaj” is translated to ‘ascension’, the journey into the heavens.

The evening is marked by reflecting on the story of how the Messenger (pbuh) was visited by two archangels while he was asleep, who purified his heart and filled him with knowledge and faith. The Prophet (pbuh) travelled from Makkah to Jerusalem in a single night on a creature called ‘Buraq’. From Jerusalem he ascended into heaven, where he met the earlier prophets, and eventually Allah (swt).

During his time in heaven, the Rasulullah (pbuh) was told of the duty of Muslims to recite salah five times a day. Islamic scholar Moulana Irshaad Sedick says the night is significant for Muslims.

“Allah (swt) reminds of the days. By days Allah (swt) refers to those when the ambiya, Prophets walked this planet. The Isra and Miraaj, is one of the greatest events that had taken place in the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (pbuh),” says Sedick.

Different scholars have different opinions on the different days and dates as to when the Israa and Mi’raaj took place.

“Although there are differences in opinion on when this took place, people need to know that scholars differ over which year, they differ over which month it took place in and they differ over the date. The predominant views leads up to 27th Rajab,” he adds.

There is a slight difference with scholars as well as to whether the journey took place with the body and soul or just the soul, however Sedick says the evidence points towards parts that says the journey of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) was that of the body and soul.

“Some people became Murtad and left fold of Islam because they could not believe what the Prophet (pbuh) had experienced. This is also how Abu Bakr Sideeq, his beloved companion and father in law earned his title of As-Sideeq.

“As Sideeq not only means one who speaks the truth but is also one who accepts the truth. He was approached by the enemies of Islam, saying its such a preposterous claim. And Abu Bakr Sideeq replied saying that if he said so, then he has spoken the truth,” Sedick explained, adding that these were the valuable lessons from the story.

One ayah in Surah Banee-israeel mentions this journey very explicitly:

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

“The explanation of this is that the journey is to show him, meaning that Allah (SWT) shows him, him being Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) some of our miracles. The Prophet (PBUH) was accompanied on this journey by the angel Jibrael (AS) on this mystical creature Buraaq the description given was that of it being a between a horse and a mule and with its capabilities could goes at the speed of light.”

On the Israa, the Prophet (pbuh) went to Jerusalem and led the Ambiya in prayer. “From this we gather that the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was the Imaam and the leader of the Ambiya.”

From Masjidul Aqsa, Sedick describes how our beloved Prophet (pbuh) was taken to the seven heavens till beyond the furthest point that one could possible go, to be in the divine presence of Allah the Almighty and received the gift of salah.

“The fact that is the one major purpose of this journey indicates to us the importance of salah. My personal message on this incident is that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) went on one divine journey so that we can go on a divine journey five times a day, every day for the rest of our lives. It is up to us to make that journey divine or not, to be in communication with Allah (SWT) or to make it something we have to just get out of the way,” Sedick advised.

This is the sole purpose of the Israa and Mi’raaj.

“It is impractical to commemorate this occasion but not actually perform their salah, because you are celebrating an occasion that was done specifically for the revelation of salah, and for the very purpose you celebrating you do not fulfil.”

The Israa and Mi’raaj is our chance to communicate with Allah (SWT). In following with the Sunaah and Quran, it has to be said that there are no special or specific acts of ibaadah that is recommended.

“One can’t claim that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) or the Sahabas did something on this particular night. There is no proof for that, but what one can say is that there is nothing wrong in people gathering to commemorate this night. They should keep in mind that the actual purpose of gathering is to remind themselves, their children and their families of the importance of salah and the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). My advice would be that to celebrate the night, do it by revising and re-energising with your creator and that is through salah.”

VOC will broadcast from Stegman Road masjid in Claremont for the Lailatul-Mi’raaj prayers after Esha on Saturday evening.

VOC (Najma Bibi Noor Mahomed)


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