ISRA AND MI'RAJ - Part I

ISRA AND MI’RAJ - Part I

(Source : Muslim Footsteps)

The month of Rajab is most famous for the incident of the night journey and ascension of Prophet SAW to the heavens, in Arabic known as Al-Isra wal Mi’raj.

Al-Isra refers to Prophet SAW’s journey to Jerusalem where he led all the previous prophets in prayer, and Mi’raj refers to his journey to the heavens.

This miraculous journey is very significant and has a direct impact on the daily lives of Muslims. It was during this journey that our Prophet SAW had the glimpses of wonders of paradise and torture of hellfire and was granted the gift of Salah (obligatory prayers). Apart from these, there are many other lessons that we can learn from it, the main one being to reinforce our reliance on Allah SWT.

Life of Prophet Muhammad SAW before Isra and Mi’raj

According to the majority of reports, the journey took place roughly about the end of the ninth year or the early part of the tenth year after the beginning of revelation. These were difficult times for the Prophet SAW, for despite devoting all his time inviting people towards Islam, only a handful had responded to his call. Leaders of Makkah were brutal in their aggressive tactics against Islam and their persecution of the Prophet’s companions was unrelenting.

During this time, the Prophet SAW had two main supporters: his wife, Khadijah RA, who was a source of constant emotional, moral and financial support for him; and his uncle Abu Talib, who although never embracing Islam himself, was the source of protection for the Prophet SAW within the Quraysh community.

Khadija RA was a pillar of support for the Prophet SAW during the first years of revelation. She was the first woman who embraced Islam, and gave her unconditional, unquestioning and unwavering support to him in his efforts to spread the message. She was a very noble and dignified person and the Prophet SAW often turned to her for wisdom and counsel. He frequently relied on her insight and opinions, which time and time again proved to be correct.

It is a known fact that she was one of the wealthiest business-owners in the Arabian Peninsula when she married the Prophet SAW. Less known is that she subsequently sacrificed all her wealth in the path of Allah SWT and passed away destitute.

So outstanding was her moral character that before she died, she received the glad tidings of her abode in Paradise. Very few people in the history of Islam have been honoured such an accolade by Allah SWT Himself.

Therefore, her death, after twenty five happy years of marriage, left a devastating impact on her husband. It created a void in his heart that no one was able to replace since. Even years after her death, the Prophet SAW used to grieve over her loss and recount her outstanding faith and support for him.

The death of Khadija RA was shortly followed by the death of Abu Talib. While Abu Talib never embraced Islam, he granted protection to the Prophet SAW from persecution. The Quraysh observed a strict societal hierarchy and abided by strong codes of conduct. Given Abu Talib's highly respected status within the community, the Quraysh refrained from harming the Prophet SAW while Abu Talib was still alive. With Abu Talib's death, the sanctuary over Rasulullah SAW against the tyranny of the Quraysh came to an abrupt end.

Continued in part II