The occasion of Isra’ and Mi’raj-khutba
The occasion of Isra and Mi’raj
Indeed all praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad (S), his family, Khulafair Rashidin, all his Companions, and all those who follow in their footsteps until the Last Day. All praise is for Allah. We praise Him. We seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. We seek Allah’s refuge from evils of ourselves and from our evil actions. Whomsoever Allah guides none can misguide him/her, and whomsoever Allah misguides none can guide him/her. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, having no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (S) is His Messenger.
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam:
There is no doubt that the incident of Isra’ and Mi’raj is from among the great signs of Allah, indicates the truthfulness and the great position of His Messenger, Muhammad (S). It is also among the evidences showing the might of Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala and it is proof that Allah is above all His creation. Almighty Allah informs us about the incident in following verse: “Glorified and Exalted be He (above all that evil they associate with Him), Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a Journey by night from Masjidul Haram (at Makkah) to the Farthest Mosque Masjidul Aqsa (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of Our Ayat (signs). Verily, He is All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” {Al Isra’ 1}
The occasion of the Isra means the night of Journey of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) who was carried in body (it was not a dream) on a horse called Al Buraq in the company of the angel Gabriel from Masjidul Haram to Masjidul Aqsa and back to Makkah in the same night.
The Mi’raj means the ascension of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) from the Masjidul Aqsa in Jerusalem through the spheres of Heavens and his descension in the same night. The occasion of Mi’raj was on the same night of the occasion of Isra.
The purpose of the Journey, as Almighty Allah mentioned in the above verse, is that Allah wanted to show His servant some of His Ayat (signs, proofs, evidences, etc.).
Historically this miraculous occasion took place eleven years after the start of the mission of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) when the followers of Islam faced many dangers.
Let us, my dear brothers and sisters, remind ourselves on some conditions of the community where Muhammad (S) started Da’wah to the Din of Allah. Muhammad (S) was known as Al Amin (the trustworthy) even before the revelation of the Qur’an. By the order of Allah, he called his people to the Truth, but Sadatul Quraysh (leaders of Quraysh) knew that this Din if established would be the end of their Jahili era and corruption. For these reasons they did not choose the means to protect themselves, their positions and their Jahili tradition.
They have started fight against Din of Allah, which was sent by Allah as a Mercy to whole of mankind. At that time, before his uncle Abu Talib passed away, the Quraysh approached him that he can advice Muhammad (S) to leave his new Din and for that they will be ready to give him everything he asks for: power, money, etc. Even they have suggested if a Jinn overpowered him that they would pay the best doctors to cure him. But Muhammad (S) was not sent because of Duniya. Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an: “Verily, that is the life indeed (Akhirah that will never end), if they but knew.” {Al ‘Ankabut}
On all the offers of the Quraysh Muhammad (S) said: “O my uncle! If they would place in my right hand the sun, and in my left hand the moon, to leave the mission, I will not do it.” Very soon after this, Muhammad (S) lost his two best supporters, his uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khatijah. In such a situation, under all these conditions, Almighty Allah in His Wisdom, has chosen to take Muhammad (S) on the Night Journey to Jerusalem and then Ascension through the spheres of the heavens.
When Muhammad (S) announced the Journey, the disbelievers saw it as a suitable opportunity to crash the mission of Muhammad (S) and the Muslims, but the occasion only made their belief and themselves stronger. The blasphemers belied the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) and mocked him, saying: “We need a month to get there and back, and you are claiming to have done all this in one night?” They said to Abu Bakr, “Look at what your companion is saying. He says he went to Jerusalem and came back in one night.” Abu Bakr told them: “If he sad so, then he is truthful. I believe him concerning the news of the heavens – that the angel descends to him from the heavens. How could I not believe he went to Jerusalem and came back in a short period of time – when these are on earth?” At that, the Companion, Abu Bakr, was called As Siddiq, because of how strongly he believed all what the Messenger Muhammad (S) said.
The Messenger Muhammad (S) was asked to describe the Masjidul Aqsa, where he had never gone before, to the astonishment of many, his reply furnished the most accurate information about the city. Even, he told the people who were questioning him about the journey, that he saw the camels of Makkan merchants and the kind of merchandises they were carrying. Then later, when the caravan arrived to Makkah, the merchants testified that the words of Muhammad (S) were the Truth.
From the Qur’an and the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah, Muhhamad (S) on this occasion, we learn following:
1. The occasion was an affirmative sign, an affirmative assurance of the divinity of the Message, an affirmative support of Almighty Allah, to the Last Messenger, Muhammad (S) and an affirmation from Allah that this Message is Universal one.
2. Before this super natural journey, the heart of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) was washed and filled with Iman. It indicates to us on Tawbah as the first step towards the closeness to Almighty Allah.
3. The occasion is a reminder of our pledge and commitment to fulfill our responsibilities towards Almighty Allah. It is a reminder that the establishment of the five daily prayers as well as all other responsibilities are a must on every Muslim, male and female.
4. From this Journey, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) brought us the gifts given by Almighty Allah such as: Five daily prayers and the last two verses of Surah Al Baqarah. At that point of time, it was understood as well that the New Era is coming, and that the Hijrah will happen soon.
5. On this journey, Muhammad (S) had seen and experienced many things which were defined to him by the Malak Gabriel. On the basis of these explanations we can learn that the pleasure of Allah can be attained through struggle, Salat, stability of Iman, taking care of our tongues and our moral.
6. The Sahabah of Muhammad (S) trusted him and believed firmly in the Message he brought to them, as mentioned in the example of Abu Bakr (ra).
7. After Muhammad (S) has said the Truth, he became the target of the Qurayhs attacks, what clearly points on the fact, that if we are working for the sake of Allah, we would be targeted as well.
We pray to Almighty Allah to give us His support as He has given to the Messenger Muhammad (S) and his Sahabah, to help us establish 5 prayers in our daily life, to help us struggle in His Way that we can attain His pleasure, to help us trust each other as the Sahabah did trust the Messenger that we can succeed in N. America as Muslim community, to help us protect the Din of Allah no matter how much and how often we are targeted as a Nation.
We ask from Him His support and help, for there is no support and help except from Him. Allahumma Amin.