Dear Readers, As Salaamu Alaikum!
On the occasion of Shab-e-Meraaj, we have compiled some information for you on the same topic.
The word Meraaj (Ascent) of Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) is derived from "Urooj", which means, "height", "ascension". It occurs in Hadith. The Qur'anic word for the event is "Israa", meaning "the journey". The event is briefly mentioned in the Qur'an, its detailed provided by Hadiths. Taken from Qur'an and Hadiths the essential details of the event (with necessary explanation and discussions) are as follows:
The Heart Operation: Archangel Jibriel (AS) alongwith two other angels visited the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) one night, while he was asleep in the Hateem part of Kaabah (in Makkah). The angel then operated upon his heart and made some changes probably because the material body could not withstand the space travel with the required velocity without certain protection. The related part of the narration reads; "... Jibriel (AS) among them took upon himself to make a cut from the throat down to a part below the heart of the Prophet (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) till he emptied the chest and the stomach. Then with his hands he washed it with Zamzam water till the stomach was cleaned. Then was brought a golden tray in which was a golden light filled with faith and wisdom. Pouring it inside, the chest and the veins of throat were filled up. Then the opened part was closed..." (Bukhari)
By incorporating the changes in the body system, his body was probably converted from material into Noorani (lightening) body to withstand the journey of space. It may be remembered that the material bodies of people destined for heavens would also be changed to lightening bodies after The Maidaan-e-Hashr (The place of great gathering) before taking them to heavens.
Burraq: After the transformation of the body, a conveyance named Burraq was presented before him. Burraq, the narration says, resembled a horse-like animal but its very name indicates that it also possessed a lightening body. The word Burraq is derived from the root "Bar'q" which means "electricity" in Arabic. Burraq signifies that he had to be taken with the velocity of Bar'q that is electricity or light which is 300,000 km per second in the Masjid of Jerusalem. No wonder, within no time he reached Baitul Maqdis or Masjid-e-Aqsa. The Qur'an has summarised the event in one verse, "Exalted is He (Allah) who took his bondsman (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Masjid-il-Haram (Kaabah) to Masjid-il-Aqsa (the Masjidin Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof we have blessed, in order that we might show him our signs..."(17:1)
In Baitul Maqdis, Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) led in prayer, all the earlier Prophets who were gathered for the occasion (naturally in their Barzakm or transitional and transcendental bodies). The journey from one holy Masjid to the other and the Prophet (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) leading signifying that the inheritance of Divine leadership was being transferred to him from Bani Israel who no more deserved the honour. Towards Heavens and Beyond From there, he was raised to the heavens where he again met and conversed with different Prophets. Then came the most honoured moment of the journey as he was elevated to a point beyond heavens, called Sidrat-ul-Muntaha.
What he observed there is described in Qur’an in the following words:”One free from any defect in body and mind then he rose and became stable, While he was in the highest part of the horizon. Then he approached and came closer and was at a distance of two bows length or (even) closer. So, He (Allah) revealed to his bondsman (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) whatever he revealed. The Prophet’s heart lied not in what he saw. Will you then dispute with him (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about what he saw? And indeed, he (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) saw him at a second descent near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha. Near it is Paradise of Abode. When that covered the Sidrah, which did cover it, the sight (of Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam)) turned not aside nor it transgressed beyond the limit. Indeed he (Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) did see of the greatest signs of his Lord (Allah).” (53:6-18)
Whom did he meet? Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) or Jibriel? There has been difference of opinion among scholars right from the days of Sahaba about whom Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) met and saw at the place beyond heavens and horizon. Some say he saw Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) while others opine that he saw Jibriel (AS) in his original form but both these assumptions invite serious apprehensions that could not be answered satisfactorily.
Most important facts about this day: The Five times a day Salaat was ordained for the Ummah on the occasion. Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) was also shown Paradise and Hell during the journey. After the great event he was again taken back to Kaabah. The whole journey was completed within the night. After the detail of the event, the answer to the uncovered parts of the question is the following.
Other Prophets also travelled by Burraq i)The other Prophets, whom Prophet met, were also there with their transcendental bodies, which could travel in space as he did. They also travelled back to heavens from Baitul Maqdis with the help of their Burraqs at lightning velocities. There is a mention of other Prophets also possessing Burraqs in Muslim, in the Hadith describing Meraaj, reported by Anas Bin Malik.
Nothing Unscientific ii) Hadiths clearly state that Burraq is a mute-like animal. There is no mention of wings. Only earthly animals with material bodies need wings to fly against the gravitational force. The basic constituent of Burraq’s body, as the word indicates, is electrical energy, instead of the elements of earth. There is nothing unscientific about this. The realities pertaining to the subjects which science has not covered yet cannot be termed unscientific. Science has not comprehended till date, the subject of spirits and spiritual bodies. There are a large number of Allah’s creations that are invisible to human eyes, as human sight can only comprehend the matter and not energy. The angels and the Jinns possess non-material bodies constituted of light and heat energies. The existence of other beings should not be unbelievable.
Neither Dream Nor Awake iii) The Qur’an in Surah Israa, in which the advent is mentioned, indicates the state in which the Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) was carried to his journey. It says: “... And we made not the vision which we showed you, but a trial for mankind..” (17:60) It was neither a dream nor the state of wakefulness in the material sense. The Quranic word for the vision is “Ru’ya” which is different from a dream. We find in one of the Hadiths describing Meraaj thus; “... They (the angels) came in such a state that the heart (of the Prophet) was seeing them. The eyes were asleep but the heart was awake. Likewise, the eyes of (all) the Prophets sleep but their hearts do not sleep..” (Bukhari; Kitab-ut-Tauhid; Narration of Abu Hurairah)
The above narration of Meraaj in Bukhari, which is a very lengthy one, ends with the following words: “..And when he (Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) woke up, he was in Masjid-il-Haram (Kaabah).” (Ibid). So, the material body of the Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu Alaihi Wassallam) was in a state of sleep after the Meraaj, while during the vision his transcendental body actually visited the places and witnessed the signs of Allah. In sleep he was taken and to sleep he was returned before and after the journey. During the journey, he was not asleep. He saw and witnessed everything with a transcendental body and with eyes, which were not material.
Such is the vision of Prophets. The Veracity of 27th Rajab About the celebration, however, there is not a single Hadith or authentic narration certifying the popular belief about 27th Rajab being the date of Meraaj. There are differences among scholars regarding the date, month and also the year of Meraaj. However, there is nothing against praying and glorifying the Lord and remembering Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wassallam) on a particular night.. It certainly is not a Bidat unless the prayers of 27th Rajab are assumed to be obligatory part of Deen.
To conclude, Shab-e-Meraaj holds an important event in Islamic History. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wassallam) had ascended to the Heavens, seen the Heaven and the Hell and educated the mankind and warned them against the punishment of Hell and encouraged them to do good works and believe in Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and assured them with the reward of Paradise.
All praises and thanks to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) who with His wisdom and judgement, gave us the ability to understand the importance of this event and guided us to be on the straight path. Let us pray and make Du'a to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) profusely and recite Durood Sharif in abundance.
"ALLAHUMMA SALLI 'ALAA SAYYIDINAA MUHAMMADINWWA 'ALAA AALI SAYYIDINAA MUHAMMADINWWA BAARIK WA SALLIM"
"O ALLAH! SEND YOUR BLESSINGS ON OUR MASTER MUHAMMAD AND ON THE FAMILY OF OUR MASTER MUHAMMAD YOUR FAVOURS AND YOUR SALUTATIONS."
With Best Wishes
