The Prophet’s Night Journey: Incidents And Significance
AS far as the issue of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) night journey (Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj) is concerned, we’d deal with it from the following dimensions:
1. Its time and incidents
As for its exact date, it is still controversial and no consensus has been reached. However, the majority of scholars are in favor of a date between 16-12 months prior to the Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to Madina.
It was during this period that the Prophet (PBUH) was made to undertake a night journey from the Kaaba to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Then he was borne to the celestial regions where he witnessed the seven Heavens, met the Prophets (of yore and saw the remarkable signs of divine majesty about which the Qur’an says: “The sight (of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) turned not aside (right or left) nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it). Indeed he (Muhammad, peace be upon him) did see of the Great Signs, of his Lord.”(Surah 53: 17-18)
The occurrence of the event at that time was meant to confer honor upon the Prophet (PBUH). It signified something like viands of higher regale in order to console and alleviate the feelings of distress caused to him by the persecution of the pagans at Taif. After the incident of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj, the Prophet (PBUH) told the people about his nocturnal journey, but the Quraysh mocked him and shook their heads in disbelief stating that it was inconceivable and beyond the bounds of reason. When Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) saw the Quraysh accusing the Prophet (PBUH) of falsehood, he said, “What makes you wonder about it? If he said this, then it must be true. By Allah, he tells me that the revelation is sent down to him from Heaven in a flash or in an instant during the day or night and I believe him. This is even more unimaginable and difficult than what seems to astound you.”
2. Real significance of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj
The journey of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj did not occur in a routine or ordinary run of things. It was only to demonstrate the profound phenomena of the Kingdom of Allah in the Heavens and the earth to the Prophet (PBUH) of Islam. More than that, such a prophetic journey of tremendous importance alludes to a number of other significant and complex realities of far-reaching concern to humanity.
The two Qur’anic chapters (Surahs) of Al-Israa’ and An-Najm revealed in connection with this Heavenly journey indicate that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was charged with the office of prophethood for both the Houses of Allah, those in Jerusalem and Makkah, and was sent as the leader of the East and the West or the entire human race until the end of time.
As the inheritor of all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) of old, he represented the fulfillment and consummation of mankind’s religious development. His nightly journey from Makkah to Jerusalem expresses, in a figurative way, that his personality conformed and alluded to the oneness of Al-Masjid Al-Haram at Makkah and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa at Jerusalem. That all the Prophets (peace be upon them all) arrayed themselves behind him in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa shows that the doctrine of Islam, preached by him, was final, universal and all-comprehensive, meant for every class and section of human society throughout the ages.
The event is, at the same time, indicative of the comprehensiveness of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) and the place accorded to his followers in the great task of humanity’s guidance and the distinctive character of his message.
Frankly speaking, the incident of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj represents a demarcation line between the regional, limited, and variable rules of divine guidance entrusted to the Prophets of old and the global, comprehensive, and abiding principles of faith conferred on the universal leader of the human race. Had the Prophet (peace be upon him) been a sectional or regional guide, a national leader, the savior of any particular race or the restorer of the glory of any particular people, there would have been no need to honor him with the ascension to the Heavens nor would he have been required to perceive the hidden phenomena of the Heavens and the earth. Nor would it have been necessary to create a new link between the celestial and the earthly boundaries of the Divine Kingdom; in that case, the confines of his own land, his surroundings environs, and the times would have been sufficient enough and there would have been no need for him to divert his attention to any other land or country. Neither his ascension to the most sublime regions of the Heavens and to the “Lote-Tree of the Farthest Limit” or even the nocturnal journey to the far-away Jerusalem, then in the grip of the powerful Christian Empire of Byzantium, would have been necessary at all.
The Journey of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi’raj of the Prophet (PBUH) was a divine proclamation that he had nothing to do with the category of national or political leaders whose endeavors are limited to their own country and nation, for they serve the nations and races to which they belong and a product of their time, they serve the need of a particular juncture. The Prophet (PBUH) of Islam, on the contrary, belonged to the luminous line of the Messengers of Allah (peace be upon them all) who communicate the inspired message of Heaven to the earth. They are links between Allah and His creatures.
3. The prescription of prayer
On this occasion, Allah made 50 prayers a day obligatory for the Prophet (PBUH) and his followers. The Prophet (PBUH) constantly implored Allah for the reduction of the prayers until the Lord was also pleased to limit these to only five times daily. The Lord was also pleased to declare that whoever properly performs these five-times daily prayers would be recompensed for all the 50 daily prayers enjoined earlier.
Allah Taala Kay Baray Acha Gumaan Rakho
What Is Our Goal?
As we go continue our everyday lives, do we ever take a pause to reflect on where we are heading? We toil throughout the day, in pursuit of All our efforts are directed towards the achievement of Well, the answers may be different for different persons, Some may have a career goal, some business, and some education, etc. But what is our goal, our aim, our objective, our target for our Afterlife, which is our true life, the life last that we have to live forever and ever and ever and ever, whether we wish to live it or not?
Have we even set our goals for the after-life or are we so consumed in bettering this temporary life for ourselves and our families that we never had the chance to give a second thought to the afterlives of ourselves and our families.
Ultimately, we all have to face our Lord, answer His questions, give an account of our life in this world, and then proceed to our final destination, may it be Heaven or Hell?
If, we enter Heaven, SubhanAllah, alhamdulillah, but what if?. just imagine what would be the state of our terror, when on the Day of Judgement, we have to go to Hell. Will the status we worked so hard to achieve in this life be of any avail? Will the wealth we spent day and night earning save us from the Fire?
YUNUS, 54
[And if every person who had wronged, possessed all that is on the earth and sought to ransom himself therewith (it will not be accepted), and they would feel in their hearts regret when they see the torment.]
What use will it be if we regret then when we cannot return back, when the register of our deeds will be closed, and nothing can be done?
IBRAHIM, 44
[And warn mankind of the Day when the torment will come unto them, then the wrongdoers will say: Our Lord! Respite us for a little while, we will answer Your Call and follow the messengers! (It will be said): Had u not sworn afore time that you would not leave (the world for the Here-After).]
Today, maybe we don’t swear verbally that we will never have to leave this world, but our actions are enough to prove our beliefs.
Before the sands of time slip, and we are in a no-return position, we have to work for our afterlives and for that we have to have a goal in mind a specific target, and do I need to say, what the goal must be? all of us wanting to achieve everlasting pleasures, our goal is to achieve Jannah, which is the criterion of real success.
Surah al-‘Imran, verse 185
“Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have indeed attained the object of life [or: been successful]” (3:185).
The success of this life, the mansions we build, the wealth we amass, the enormous amount of bank balance we add up, the precious gems and jewelry we possess, they all are a temporal success, when we breathe our last, when our soul departs our body, this success will then not even matter the amount of a speck of dust to us, True success lies in seeking and achieving Jannah, AND THAT IS WHAT WE MUST STRIVE FOR.
How can we not seek to enter al-Jannah and it is the real success, it is the house of eternity, the house of lasting joy and happiness, the house where there is no sorrow, no pain, no death but just pleasure and enjoyment and above all there is in Jannah the PLEASURE OF ALLAH on its inhabitants. It is in Jannah where the believers would see their LORD, where they will meet with the Messengers and their companions, and the Martyrs.
The Jannah that is so wonderful the description of which lies in a hadith “Bricks of gold and silver, and mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee, Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/29, sahih].
Subhanallah,
In another hadith, we have
What Allaah (SWT) has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend: al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (saw) said that Allaah (swt) said, “I have prepared for My slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can imagine”. Recite if you wish, “No person know what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (32:17).
LET US ALL PRIORITISE, SORT OUT WHAT IT IS WE ACTUALLY SEEK TO ATTAIN, AND WORK HARD TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THAT GOAL, AND NOT LET OTHER TRIVIAL MATTERS STOP US FROM STRIVING TOWARDS OUR FINAL DESTINATION: JANNAH.
ALLAH tells us in Surah Aal-Imran,Verse 133:
[And run to forgiveness from ur Lord, and to Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun]
And in Surah Hadid, ayah 21:
[Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your LORD, AND paradise, the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. That is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He is pleased with.]
This is how our manner should be in seeking Jannah, running, hastening and racing with one another, but we only compete with each other for worldly means and remain amazingly heedless to our Lord’s commands, what a shame it is.
In this world, the higher we set our aims, the harder we have to work, the more we have to sacrifice, then let us not be under the misconception that the path to Jannah is an easy one.
Al-Baqarah, 214
[Or do u think that you will enter Paradise without such trials as those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with Him said: When will the help of ALLAH come? Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!]
We will have to bear with patience all the difficulties and obstacles that come our way, and there are bound to be loads, but we have an excellent example in our Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) to follow. And all the difficulties, when compared to the rewards one hopes to obtain in Jannah, are minute.
At-Taubah, 111
[Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth, which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to His covenant than Allah. Then rejoice in the bargain you have concluded. That is the supreme success.]
Let us now march forward with a clear perspective of what we aim to achieve. The clock is ticking, none of us know when the angels of Death will approach us, its high time we realize the mission in our life, and labor towards it. The path may be difficult, but once the destination is reached, we will know our efforts were not put in vain.
I ask ALLAH, He makes it easy for us to follow the path that leads to Jannah and encompass us with His Mercy and Fadhl.
I conclude with the dua of Prophet Ibrahim Alayhi salaam,
[And make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight]
Ash-Shu’ara. Verse 85
Behtreen Admi Ki Khasosiyat
Science Refutes Doctrine of Trinity
IN a report narrated by Ibn Jarir and Ibn Hatim a Christian delegation from Najran came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and disputed about Jesus son of Mary and said who is his father, and they attributed falsehood to God.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed the delegation and said, “Don’t you know that the son resembles his parents.” They replied in the positive.
He said, “Don’t you know, that God is Ever-Living, never dies, and death shall come upon Jesus (after his second coming).” They said, yes. He said, “Don’t you know that our God is the Sustainer of all that exists, He is the Preserver and Protector and gives sustenance to all.”
They said, yes. He said, “Did Jesus possess any of these qualities?” They said, no. He said, “Don’t you know that nothing is hidden from God in or on the earth or in the heavens.”
They said, yes. He said, “Did Jesus know any of these things except what God had made him know?” They said, yes. “Do you know our Lord does neither eat nor drink and is free from any attributes of weaknesses of mankind, and God-shaped Jesus in the embryo as He wished?” They said, yes. He said, “Don’t you know that Jesus’s mother conceived him, as every woman conceives, then she gave birth to him and fed him as every woman feeds her child, and he used to eat, drink, excrete and urinate. ”
They said, yes. He said, “then how he can be what you alleged i.e. God the son.” Yet they did not believe in the Prophet (peace be upon him); then Allah sent down,
“There is no God but He (The Unique), the Ever-Living, Sustainer (of all) that exists.” (Qur’an, 3:2) (Literal translation from Pickthall). In another verse, And they say Allah has begotten a son. Be He Glorified, nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. (Qur’an, 2:116)
Over and above the dogma of the godhood of Jesus, the Jews also claimed Ezra being the Son of God and the pagans said, the angels are the daughters of God. God denied them all. He is too exalted and far above any such fabrications. He is the Creator of everything and everything created depends on its existence on Him. Secondly, God is sempiternal, Immortal, and Omnipresent, but the one born out of mother is mortal. But God is eternal and perpetual therefore, a mortal can’t be a son to immortal.
Modern science found the truth of what was uttered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the 7th century. Let us consider the signs in their existence and in such human traits as eating human food as mentioned by the Prophet and also as per directions of the Qur’an.
“The Messiah [Isa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother [Maryam (Mary)] was a Siddiqah [i.e. she believed in the Words of Allah and His Books (See Verse 66:12)]. They both used to eat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat). Look how We make the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to them; yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth).” (Qur’an, 5:75)
Science has unraveled the mechanism that fulfills the Genesis Law of reproduction only after its kind. The substance is called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) consisting of complex molecules present in the chromosomes of all plants and animal cells and carrying in coded form instructions for passing on hereditary characteristics.
DNA is a microscopic computer with built-in memory. It contains a fantastic number of blueprints and at the right time issues orders to build the cells and structures of every plant, animal, and human being to its kind.
Therefore, Ezra and Jesus had all human limitations from their mothers: the limitations of aging and decaying, eating and excreting, drinking and urinating, working and sweating, laughing and crying, awakening and sleeping, tiring and relaxing, breathing and spitting, gaining and losing, fearing and hiding and hence anyone with all these infirmities can’t be a God, neither a person with the attributes of godhood.
God is Unique, Besought of all, He begetteth not, nor He was begotten and there is none comparable unto Him.
Whatever the Prophet (peace be upon him) had told the delegation of Najran, had been duly confirmed by the modern science.
Seerat e Hazrat Syedna Siddique e Akbar (Hisa Chaharam)
by Mufti Munib ur Rehman
What Is The Purpose Of Animals And Plants On Earth?
It should be noted that Allah has created man to worship Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
Allah has created for man and has subjugated to him what is in the heavens and on earth, so that he may benefit from it and enjoy it, and meet his needs, and use it to help him to worship Allah.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“He is Who created for you all that is on earth” [al-Baqarah 2:29]
“See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks) and hidden [i.e. one’s faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism), knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]” [Luqmaan 31:20]
|And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favor and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply? [al-Jaathiyah 45:13]
“And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day, to be of service to you” [Ibraaheem 14:33]
There follow some of the reasons and purposes for the existence of animals and plants on Earth:
Plants are food for people and animals. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat” [Yoonus 10:24]
“Then let man look at his food:
We pour forth water in abundance.
And We split the earth in clefts.
And We cause therein the grain to grow,
And grapes and clover plants (i.e. green fodder for the cattle),
And olives and date palms,
And gardens dense with many trees,
And fruits and herbage.
(To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle.” [Abasa 80:24-32]
Plants remind man that this world will come to an end:
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat: until when the earth is clad in its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus do We explain the Ayaat in detail for the people who reflect”
[Yoonus 10:24]
Allah gives people the likeness of the resurrection of the dead and they are coming forth from their graves, by reminding them of what they see of the earth coming back to life after it was dead. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And among His Signs (in this), that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life surely is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed He is Able to do all things” [Fussilat 41:39]
The man also derives medicines from plants, the greatest of which is the black seed of which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that it is a cure for every disease apart from death (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5687); and honey, which is gathered from the nectar of flowers, of which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): ” wherein is healing for man” [al-Nahl 16:69].
Animals are also food for people.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them, there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them, you eat” [al-Nahl 16:5]
And He is Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (i.e. fish), and that you bring forth out of it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, that you may seek (thus) of His Bounty (by transporting the goods from place to place) and that you may be grateful” [al-Nahl 16:14]
And animals are a means of transportation and an adornment.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge” [al-Nahl 16:8]
From animals, man makes the tents in which he lives and the clothes that he wears. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And Allah has made for you in your homes an abode, and made for you out of the hides of the cattle (tents for) dwelling, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stay (in your travels); and of their wool, fur, and hair (sheep wool, camel fur, and goat hair), furnishings and articles of convenience (e.g. carpets, blankets), comfort for a while” [al-Nahl 16:80]
Horses are a means of jihad and will remain so until the Hour begins; the Muslims wage jihad on horseback and achieve victory, acquire war booty, and are rewarded by Allah.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allah does know” [al-Anfaal 8:60]
Al-Bukhaari (2852) and Muslim (1873) narrated from Urwah al-Baariqi that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses (for Jihad) till the Day of Resurrection, for they bring about reward (from Allah) and booty.”
These are some of the benefits of animals and plants. And there are other purposes and benefits which no one knows except Allah.
And Allah knows best.
Tawaquf: Jald Baazi
Food Mention In Quran
Fish: A valuable Source Of nutrition
Anything you catch in the sea is lawful for you, and all food from it, for your enjoyment and that of travellers… (Qur’an, 5:96)
The Date And Its Uses As Described In the Quran
The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a date palm. She [Maryam] said, “Oh if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!” A voice called out to her from under her, “Do not grieve! Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm towards you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes…” (Qur’an, 19:23-26)
The Olive: A health Giving Plant
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things. (Qur’an, 24:35)
And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. (Qur’an, 16:11)
The Formation Of Milk
There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents of their bellies, from between the dung and blood, We give you pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. (Qur’an, 16:66)
Say: “Who provides for you from the heavens and earth?” Say: “Allah. It is certain that one or the other of us, either we or you, is following guidance or else clearly astray.” (Qur’an, 34:24)
The Miracle Of Honey
Then, eat from all the fruits, and go along the pathways of your Lord made easy for you.” From their bellies comes out a drink of various colours in which there is cure for people. Surely, in that there is a sign for a people who ponder. . (Qur’an, 16:69)
The Fig: A Fruit Whoaw Perfection Has Only Recently Been Revealed
[I swear] by the fig and the olive. (Qur’an, 95:1)
Figs have a higher fibre level than any other fruit or vegetable… One single dried fig provides two grams of fibre: 20% of the daily recommended intake. Research over the last fifteen years or so has revealed that the fibre in plant foods is very important for the regular functioning of the digestive system. It is known that fibre in foods assists the digestive system and also helps reduce the risk of some forms of cancer. Nutritionists describe eating figs, which are rich in fibre, as an ideal way of increasing one’s fibre intake
Pork (red meat) And Its Harmful Effects On Health
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [it’s limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.. (Qur’an, 2:173)
Eating pork is harmful to health in a great many regards. This harm still persists today, despite all the precautions that are taken. First and foremost, no matter how clean the farms and environments on which it is raised may be, the pig is not by nature a clean-living animal. It often plays in and even eats, its own excrement. Due to this and its biological structure, the pig produces much higher levels of antibodies in its body than other animals. In addition, far higher levels of growth hormone are produced in the pig compared to those in other animals and human beings. Naturally, these high levels of antibodies and growth hormone pass across to and collect in the pig’s muscle tissue. Pork meat also contains high levels of cholesterol and lipids. It has been scientifically proven that these significant amounts of antibodies, hormones, cholesterol and lipids in pork represent a serious threat to human health.