بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Translation of Dr. Shams Jilani “Roshni Hira Say” (The light from Cave of Hira) by Dr. Rehan Asad
Chapter (72)
The second phase of the Miraj
A journey from Baitul Muqaddas to the next world
During last section we were discussing about his journey from Hateem of Kaaba to the holy site of Baitul Muqaddas in Palestine. As we also discussed before that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never used to discuss his personal supplications that’s why he didn’t mentioned about his Tahajjud prayers. That’s why this obscurity has been created among some of the scholars of Hadith who cited that first Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed his Isha prayers in Baitul Muqaddas & then after completion of his journey, he again performed congregational prayers of Fajr. If we keep the difference of time in our minds, then it can be concluded that it might possible that he performed prayers at both places. This is further testified by those two caravans who were left behind him. They were presented as the witness by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Hadith said like that on the quest of Qureysh, the Prophet (PBUH) presented the witness.
“It was like this, I passed from the caravan of that tribe. At that time the caravan was passing by that valley. And on sighting my carrier (Burraq) their camels got upset. At that I guided them towards that camel. At that time I was on the route to Syria. While I was returning then at the place of Majnan, I saw the same people were sleeping close to the settlement of that tribe. I saw one of their vessels in which they stored water. They had covered it. I removed the lid & drink from that vessel. Then I covered his vessels in the same manner. The landmark at that moment was that the caravan has crossed the mountain of Tayim near place of Biada”.
This was the narrative given by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This was again narrated by Hazrat Umm Hani (RA) that when the people of Makkah gathered and asked for the testimony, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave the complete description about the camel of that caravan that lost the way and also about the vessel of water. The people of Querysh testified this information from that caravan. However there has been a difference in opinion among the scholars regarding the exact date & year of this incident. Some said that it happened one year before the Hijra while other said that this happened on the same year of Hijra. Some said that this happened two times, one was physical while the other one was in state of dream. Ibn Ishaaq (RA) said that I had heard this from a person whom I didn’t considered as liar. He narrated this from Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) who listened from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“He (PBUH) said that from Baitul Muqaddas I travelled to the different world. A very beautiful & different type of ladder was brought. Then my companion helped me to lift on this ladder. Then we reached to the highest level in the skies up to the gateway that is known as Al Hifza in Arabic. It literally means the gateway of protection where I saw one of the angels guarding it. The angel who was in charge for these affairs was Ismail. Around twelve thousand angels were under his command. And there were further twelve thousand angels under the command of each of them. When we reached the gate, he asked Hazrat Gabriel about me. When he told that his name is Mohammad (PBUH) & he has been invited here, then he opened the door after delivering prayers & supplications”.
From this hadith it became evident that the journey by Burraq was only from Makkah to Baitul Muqqadas in Palestine. The next phase was covered by a ladder that seems to use by the angels & also the souls after the death travelled by this mode. Like many of the unknown places & thing in the universe, this ladder is just an example used by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It can’t be compared with any material thing in this world. From here we can also see the especial respect & privilege of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). None of other Prophets (Peace be upon them) had ever travelled on Burraq. And we didn’t find the mention of using this mode of journey like he was given a privilege of visiting heavens & using this especial mode of travelling.
Cont’d for the next week
