Any change or deviation, be it in the slightest form, to the Deen revealed fourteen hundred years ago is not tolerated. It is due to the sanad (the un-interrupted chain of authorities on which a narration is based) that our Deen has been preserved in it's pristine purity.
However, despite the preservation of the Deen by means of the sanad, many baseless beliefs and unfounded practices have cropped up among the Muslims.
Me'raj is one such aspect wherein numerous narrations have found their way, many without proper transmission of sanad.
The ascension of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is generally classified in two parts: "Israa and Me'raj". Israa literally means to travel by night. This refers to the journey of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from Makkah to Masjidul Aqsa in Jerusalem. Me'raj refers to the ascension of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) from Masjidul Aqsa to the heavens and beyond. The Israa is clearly mentioned in Surah Bani Israel: "Glorified be He who carried His servant by day from the Inviolable Place of Worship (Makkah) to the far distant Place of Worship (Jerusalem)".
The Me'raj of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has been narrated in authentic Ahaadith. Ibne Katheer (Radhiallahu-anhu) has recorded the incident of Me'raj from twenty five Sahabah (Radhiallahu-anhu) [Tafseer e Ibnr Katheer, Vol 1 pg 3]. The person who rejects the Me'raj of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) though he cannot be termed a Kaafir, is definitely a Faasiq (A flagrant violator of the Shari'ah).
The Me'raj of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was a physical one i.e. with body and soul. This can be clearly ascertained from the Qur'aan when Allah says:
"Glorified be He who carried His servant by night". [Sura Bani Israel, verse 1].
Here the word "Abd" (Servant) is used. This Arabic word does definitely not mean Soul. It is the physical living being that is "Abd".
Ibne Abbaas Radhiallahu Anh has stated clearly that the Me'raj was a physical one [Sahih Bukhari, vol 2 pg 686].
"It has been said that it (Me'raj) took place before Hijra in the month of Rabi-u-Awwal. This view of the majority to such an extent that Ibn Hazm (Radhiallahu-anhu) has exaggerated (in this matter) and recorded a consensus of opinion (that Me'raj took place in Rabi-ul-Awwal)". [Umdatul Qaree, vol 17 pg 20].
THE INCIDENT OF ME'RAJ
Prior to his ascent to the heavens, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was taken to Baitul Muqaddis (Masjidul Aqsa). At Baitul Muqadddus, he met a group of Ambiyaa (Alaihis-Salaam) among whom were Ibrahim, Moosa and Eesa (Alaihis-Salaam). Thereafter he led the Salaat with the Ambiyaa (Alaihis-Salaam) as his Muqtadies (followers behind the Imaam [Al Bidwya wan Nihaya, part 3, vol 2, pg 109}.
Did Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) meet Allah Ta'aala?
Yes, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did meet Allah Ta'aala.
The majority of the Muhadditheen and Ulama are of the opinion that Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did meet Allah Ta'aala on the night of Me'raj. Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu-anhu) is of this opinion. {As-Shifa of Qazee Ayyaaz, vol 1 pg 195-202].
TASHAHHUD AND ME'RAJ
The tashahhud (generally known as the Attahyyiat) that is recited in Salaat is well known to one and all. The origin of it is generally attributed to the night of Me'raj in the sense that it is believed that the words we recite in tashahhud are in fact an enactment of a conversation occurring on that night.
The journey of Me'raj, wherein Salaat was made obligatory, was a physical one.
Furthermore, to regard something optional as Sunnah is in reality attributing something to Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) which he did not say. This is indeed a very serious crime. Such a person fall within the purview of the Hadith:
"He who intentionally speaks a lie against me must build his abode in the fire of Hell". [Muslim, vol 1, pg 77].
Hence it is imperative that we heed to these aspects and act accordingly.
Information was taken from the following sources......
Sheikhul Hadith Hadhrat Moulana Fazur Rehman Saheb of Darul Uloom Islamia, Azaadville.
Allama Shah Anwar Kashmiri (Radhiallahu-anhu)
Please accept my appologies for any mistakes on the above article.
My Faiths Goal
May Allah Ta’ala grant us His Love and the Love of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) , such that it becomes easy to give up all sins and submit to His Obedience. May He protect us all from the mischief of nafs and Shaytaan. May He fill our hearts with Love, Adab, Akhlaq and Sabr for this beautiful Deen and inspire us in being a practical and good Muslims and be true role-models to our community.
"I want to die with my forehead on the ground,the sunnah in my heart,Allah on my mind, the Quran on my tongue & tears in my eyes."
Remember
Through the Zikr of Allah Ta’ala one may achieve recognition and Maarifat of Allah Ta’ala.
(Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
"if one lives for Allah alone love and peace would prevail in this world. When one is inspired by this,then whatever one does becomes devotion to Allah."
(Khwaja Nizamuddeen Auliya rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
(Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
"if one lives for Allah alone love and peace would prevail in this world. When one is inspired by this,then whatever one does becomes devotion to Allah."
(Khwaja Nizamuddeen Auliya rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
'Allah will aid a servant of His so long as the servant aids his brother.'
- Sahih Muslim
- Sahih Muslim
Light of Dawn
I wake with the light of the dawn whispering with joy in my heart and with praise on my lips. In stillness and twilight i stand before you bowing, prostating i call Allahu (swt).
My eyes see your beauty in the dawn's golden hues. My ears hear the thunder as it gloriies you. The rhythm of my heart beats the sound of your name. My breaths rise and fall with the tide of your praise. My soul knew and loved you before i was born and without your mercy is lost and fortorn.
Wherever i may wonder down the pathways of life, my cry to you Allah (swt), is "guide me to ligfht" through all fear and helpness, to you do i turn for your breath of healing and peacedo i yearn. For all that i have , my Allah (swt) all that i am is from you, is for you and to you will return. Inshallah
My eyes see your beauty in the dawn's golden hues. My ears hear the thunder as it gloriies you. The rhythm of my heart beats the sound of your name. My breaths rise and fall with the tide of your praise. My soul knew and loved you before i was born and without your mercy is lost and fortorn.
Wherever i may wonder down the pathways of life, my cry to you Allah (swt), is "guide me to ligfht" through all fear and helpness, to you do i turn for your breath of healing and peacedo i yearn. For all that i have , my Allah (swt) all that i am is from you, is for you and to you will return. Inshallah
In the following months biographies of the Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w) will be published..
