AGES RAJAB

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 ISRA
The Isra or night visit, was the Prophet's (saw) horizontal journey from the Ka’bah in
Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem

MIRAAJ
The Miraaj or Ascension, was the Prophet's (saw) vertical journey into the Heavens.
The purpose of this journey, was so Allah would show him (pbuh) some of His Signs.
Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever
He allows to fall astray, none can guide them to the
right path

Whatever is written of Truth and Benefit is only due to

Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error
is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Image: http://www.learning4littlemuslims.com/onlinequran
 Chapter 1

It occurred in the blessed month of Rajab, on the 27th night and it was known as, Al-Isra Wal-Miraaj -
The Glorious Night Journey and Miracle of Ascension. The journey begun around the 10th year after
Revelation, and approximately a year before the Prophet’s (saw) Migration from Makkah to Medina,
known as the Hijrah.

The Isra Wal Miraaj was a journey that began at the Ka’bah in Makkah, to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem,
and concluded up into the Heavens.

It was one of the most miraculous experiences that Allah (swt) had bestowed upon Prophet Muhammed
(Peace Be Upon Him)

These were difficult times for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), he spent all his time inviting people
towards Islam, only a handful had responded to his call. Leaders of Makkah were brutal in their aggressive
ways against Islam and treated the early Muslim’s and companions of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace
Be Upon Him) in a bad way.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) wife, Khadijah RA, who was a pillar of support and his uncle Abu
Talib, who although never embracing Islam himself, was the source of protection for the Prophet (Peace
Be Upon Him)within the Quraysh community.

The death of Khadija RA after twenty five happy years of marriage was shortly followed by the death of
Abu Talib.
The Beloved of Allah went to Taif, a town some distance away, the shocking treatment that he received
there turned out to be even worse than his hometown that rejected him. The people including the
children mocked, attacked and chased him out of town, but even as he was bruised and bleeding,
Rasulullah SAW only found fault within himself for his shortcomings and made dua to Allah for the
people of Taif to be granted forgiveness and guidance

It was during these difficult times that Allah SWT sent Angel Jibra’eel (AS) to take Rasulullah (SAW)
on the most glorious journey ever experienced by anyone on earth. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)
was near the Ka’abah one night when Angel Jibra’eel (AS) appeared with Buraq. The Prophet (Peace Be
Upon Him) was presented with Buraq, a lightning-fast creature. This creature was sent especially for the
Miraaj, to carry the noble Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) from Makkah to Jerusalem known as Al Isra .
The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said,

“I was then presented with a beautiful Buraq. This is an animal larger than a donkey but smaller than a
mule. I mounted it.” (Sahih Muslim)

Buraq was a powerful, handsome-face, tall, white, wide beast, whose stride stretched as far as the eye
could see. He had phenomenal speed that could cover a long distance in a short span of time. Buraq had
white wings on either side which made him stronger when he stepped.

Buraq seemed jumpy and anxious, and when Angel Jibra’eel (AS) spoke to Buraq him about this, it was
mentioned that

“Amongst all steeds created light years ago, Buraq was created for this most honourable occasion- to
carry the Beloved of Allah The Supreme, The Exalted!”

They began their journey, travelling hundreds of miles in a short span of time. They passed many
different places, and experienced strange and wondrous things along the way from Makkah to Jerusalem.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) dismounted Buraq, and entered
Masjid Al Aqsa. Can you imagine little muslims, every Prophet and Messenger, from Adam (A S) to Isa
(A S ), was present and awaiting the Prophet’s (saw) arrival. Jibra’eel (AS) AS asked the Prophet (Peace
Be Upon Him) to lead the gathering in two rakaats of salaah, behind an Imam who is the best and most
beloved creation of Allah, a mercy unto mankind the final messenger of Allah, Muhammed (Peace Be
Upon Him) SAW – Imam al Ambiya
After the prayer, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was presented with a choice. (Some narrations
suggest this incident occurred in the seventh heaven and Allah knows best)

“On the night Allah’s Apostle was taken on a night journey (Miraaj) two cups, one containing wine and
the other milk, were presented to him at Jerusalem. He looked at it and took the cup of milk. Jibra’eel
(AS) said, “Praise be to Allah who guided you to Al-Fitra (the right path); if you had taken (the cup of)
wine, your nation would have gone astray.” (Bukhari 7:69:482)

This was the end of the first part of the Prophet’s (saw) journey known as Al-Isra.
 Chapter 2

From Masjid Al-Aqsa, Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) went to the second part of his journey known as
Miraaj or ascension to the heavens. During the Miraaj, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was shown
Heaven and Hell and all the promises of the Hereafter. There were many amazing things that no human
eye had seen before, and would only see in the hereafter.
From this journey, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was able to tell his companions about paradise
and some of the delights in store for the righteous people on earth.

It is reported that Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The distance between first and second heaven is that of 500 years, and between each of the seven heavens
is also 500 years, and the distance between seventh heaven to the Kursi (Allah's Footstool) is also 500
years, and the distance between the Kursi and the water is again 500 years. The Throne (Arsh) is above
the water and Allah the Almighty is above the Throne. And nothing is hidden to Allah of your deeds."

Accompanied by Jibra’eel (AS), the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) ascended from heaven to heaven on
his way to meet the Lord of the throne, and was introduced to different prophets of Allah in each heaven
including Adam, the father of all mankind; Isa and his cousin Yahya, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa and
Ibrahim peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

When they reached the first heaven

Angel Jibra’eel (AS) AS asked for the Doors of the First Heaven to be opened.

The Angel asked: “Who is this?”

Jibra’eel (AS) replied: “Jibra’eel (AS)”

The Angel asked: “Who is with you?”

Jibra’eel (AS) replied: “Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)”

The Angel asked: “Has he been sent for?”

Jibra’eel (AS) replied: “Yes”

The Angel said: “Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah grant him long life! A brother (of ours)
and a deputy (of Allah), and what an excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit this is!”

The doors opened, and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) saw Prophet Adam (A S).

Prophet Adam (A S) said to him, “Welcome to the righteous son and the righteous Prophet!”

Adam (A S) was the first man of Allah's Creation. He is the Father of Humanity and our first Prophet!

The Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) saw him as he was on the day Allah had created him. Adam (A S)
greeted the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) with love and affection

Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) (saw) and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) continued to travel upwards
to the Gates of the second Heaven

Each time the Angel Jibra’eel (AS) AS asked for the Doors of the Heaven to be opened and Angels would
reply and welcome them as they did the first time.

The doors opened and the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) met Prophet Isa (AS) and Prophet Yahya (AS).
Prophet Isa (A S) was the son of Maryam (RA) and a special Prophet of Allah, who had been given the
gift of healing the ill and raising the dead. He will return to mankind again. Before the Day of Judgement.

Prophet Yayha (A S) was the son of Prophet Zakariyyah (A S). He was born when Zakariyyah (A S) was
an old man. He was the Prophet who was named by Allah and given wisdom as a child.
There were a lot of people with the two Prophets, and they made dua for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon
Him) and said,

Welcome, ‘O pious Prophet and pious brother!’ (Bukhari).

Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) (saw) and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) continued to travel upwards
to the Gates of the Third Heaven

The doors opened, and they saw Prophet Yusuf (A S). With him, stood a large company of his people.
They made dua for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and said,

Welcome, ‘O pious Prophet and pious brother!’ (Bukhari).

Prophet Yusuf (A S) was the son Prophet Yaqub (A S)

Prophet Yusuf (A S) greeted the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and Jibra’eel (AS) continued with
Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) (saw) in their upward journey to the Gates of the Fourth Heaven.

The doors opened, and they saw Prophet Idris (A S). Allah had exalted Idris (A S) to a Lofty Place, and
he was the only human to die in Jannah.

With him, were many people, and they all made dua for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and greeted
him with the words.

Welcome, ‘O pious Prophet and pious brother!’ (Bukhari).

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) travelled up again towards the Gates of the
Fifth Heaven.
The doors opened, and there they saw Prophet Harun (A S). The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) greeted
Prophet Harun (A S), and Harun (A S) returned the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) greeting.

The gathering made dua for the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and said, Welcome, ‘O pious Prophet
and pious brother!’ (Bukhari).

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) resumed their travels up to the Gates of the
Sixth Heaven.

The doors opened, and there they saw many Prophets.

Some Prophets had fewer than ten followers, other Prophets had many followers, and some Prophets
didn't have one follower.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) saw a huge mass of people covering the firmament from
every direction he looked.

He Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) asked,

“What is this “

He was told:

“This is Musa and his people. Now raise your head and look.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) raised his head and saw another huge mass of people covering the
firmament from every direction he looked. He was told:
“These are your Communities and besides these there are seventy thousands of them that will enter
Paradise without giving account.”

Prophet Musa (A S) and the people made dua for Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and
greeted him with the words, Welcome, ‘O pious Prophet and pious brother!’ (Bukhari).

Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) resumed their journey and travelled
up to the Gates of the Seventh Heaven.

The doors opened, and they saw Prophet Ibrahim (A S). Prophet Ibrahim (A S) is also known as
Khaleelullah, the friend of Allah.

He was sitting and leaning against Al Bayt ul Ma’mur (The Inhabited House).

Al Bayt ul Ma’mur is the unseen Heavenly Extension of the Ka’bah, which lies directly above the earthly
Ka’bah. It is inhabited with the remembrance of Allah and a great number of Angels. Al-Baytul-Ma’mur
is situated in the heavens exactly over the earthly Ka’abah. Each day, a continuous batch of 70,000
different angels enter it to worship Allah, a practice that will last till the end of time.

Sitting with Prophet Ibrahim (A S), was a large group of people, who made dua for the Prophet (Peace
Be Upon Him). The people said,

“Welcome to the righteous son and the righteous Prophet!”

Prophet Ibrahim (A S) said,

“Convey my greetings to your Community and tell them that Paradise has excellent soil and sweet water,
and that its seedlings are, Subhanallah (Glory to Allah), Alhamdulillah (and Praise be to Allah), wa La
ilaha illallah (and there is no Allah but Allah), Wallahu Akbar (and Allah is greatest)”
 Chapter 3

Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) (saw) was raised up from the Heavens and ascended to Sidrat
al-Muntaha, the Lote Tree of the uttermost boundary. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was told that
each Muslim who follows his way will reach this tree one day. The Lote Tree is like no tree you will ever
see on earth, its leaves are like the ears of an elephant, and its fruits are like jugs. It’s roots emit rivers of
sweet water, wine, and honey. The colors of the tree are unimaginable!
No creature can describe Sidrat al-Muntaha, because it is so immensely beautiful and unique, with angels
and light surrounding it. It is such a massive tree, that one of its leaves can shade the entire earth!

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was then raised even higher, and Angel Jibra’eel (AS) reached the
point where he was not allowed to travel further. He parted from the Prophet’s (saw) side.

“Jibra’eel (AS) then travelled with me till we came to the farthest lote-tree. Many a color had covered
it which I do not know. Then I was admitted to Paradise and saw in it domes of pearls, and its soil of
musk.” (Muslim 0313)

From the Sidrat al-Muntaha, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) continued to ascend, until he arrived in
a place beyond time and space. Almighty Allah drew near and was very close. The Prophet (Peace Be
Upon Him) humbly fell into sajdah.

“And then he drew near, very near, like two bows lengths or even closer.” (Surah An-Najm 53:8).
Allah called the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Habibullah (His beloved) and bestowed on him the Gift
of Salah.

“And thus Allah did reveal unto His servant whatever He deemed right to reveal. His heart did not deny
what he saw” (Surah An-Najm 53:10).

Allah enjoined on the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and his followers, 50 salah day and night, so that
mankind would be guided to always remember and worship their Lord.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) started his descent from the high place of honor, to the lower Heaven.
There he saw Prophet Musa (A S) weeping. He asked him why he wept and Musa (A S) replied:

“This is a young man who was sent after me and more of his community will enter the garden than
mine.”

Prophet Musa (as) knew that the followers of Muhammad (saw) would be the largest of all Prophets,
and he had wanted to please Allah the most. But his people had been defiant and rebellious.

Musa (A S) asked the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)

“What has your Lord enjoined on your Ummah?”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said,“50 prayers every day and night.”

Prophet Musa (A S) was concerned that the Prophet’s Ummah would fail, as he had spent his lifetime
struggling with ingratitude and the defiance of his people. So Musa (A S) said,
“Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for your Ummah will not
be able to do that. I tested the Children of Israel and found out how they were.”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) loved his Ummah. He wanted them to succeed and please Allah. He
also wanted them to be saved from the punishment of the fire. So out of concern for us, he went back
with Angel Jibra’eel (AS) to Allah (swt) and said,

“My Lord, make lighter the burden of my community, for verily they are the weakest of all
communities.”

Allah in His infinite Mercy and Generosity, lessened the number of prayers by 5.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) descended until he reached Prophet Musa (A S). He told him about
the reduction in the number of salah.

Musa (A S) was still concerned, and told the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him),

“Go back to your Lord and ask him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for they will never be able
to do that.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) went again to Allah to ask for His Mercy and reduce the number of
salah. Allah reduced it again by 5.

Prophet Musa (A S) urged the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) to return again and beseech Allah to
reduce the salah some more. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) went back and forth, and each time
Allah reduced the salah by 5, until finally Allah said,
“Let there be five prayers every day and night, and let every prayer count as ten. That makes fifty
prayers…” “Whoever wants to do something good then does not do it, one good deed will be recorded
for him, and if he does it, ten good deeds will be recorded for him. Whoever wants to do something evil
and does not do it, no evil deed will be recorded for him, and if he does it, one evil deed will be recorded
for him.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) descended and told Musa (A S) the message.

Musa (A S) once again said,

“Go back to your Lord and ask him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for they will never be able
to do that.”

But this time the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

“I have asked my Lord until I feel too shy. I accept this and submit to Him.”

And this is how we received the command to pray salah five times a day. The salah is an honour, as it
was commanded to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in the heavens at close proximity to Allah.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) descended with Angel Jibra’eel (AS) from the heavens to Jerusalem.
He mounted Buraq, and journeyed back towards Makkah. Along his journey from Jerusalem to Makkah,
the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) passed a caravan of the Quraysh, and witnessed one of their camels
carrying one white container, and one black container on either side. Suddenly there was a stampede,
and the camel fell to the ground, and the containers broke.

Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) witnessed another caravan along the way, and this time, he
called out salaam to the caravan.

The people were very surprised and said,

“This is the voice of Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him)”.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) reached his home in Makkah and it was still the same night as when
he had left. It seemed that time had stood still while he was on his miraculous journey.

The next day, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) told the people about his astounding journey, but sadly
many people did not believe him. They thought it impossible that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)
went to Jerusalem in one night, when it was a month’s journey away.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) described to them the holy Masjid Al-Aqsa, a place he had not visited
before. He narrated the incidents of his extraordinary journey. The unbelievers found the whole
narration utterly amusing and mocked and ridiculed him.
Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) told the people about the details of the caravans that he had
seen along his return to Makkah. He described the caravans and the camels that were leading them in
great detail. When the traders of the caravans arrived, they fitted the description of the Prophet’s (Peace
Be Upon Him) words.

The believers accepted that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had spoken the truth and had indeed gone
on this journey, but the unbelievers denied the truth.

Angel Jibra’eel (AS) returned to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) the following day, and the days after
that. He came to teach the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) how to perform the five daily salah, and
showed him the times each prayer began and ended. This teaching of salah was passed on to the Prophet
(Peace Be Upon Him)to the Ummah.