Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

ISRA AND MIRAJ (Part 2)

The Descent to Baitul-Muqaddas (Masjid Al Aqsa)

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived at Baitul-Muqaddas in this splendour and dismounted from the Buraq. According to the narration of Sahih Muslim, Anas (R.A) says that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)  tethered the animal to the iron loop on which all the previous Prophets tethered their animals. According to the narration of Bazzar, Jibrail (A.S) pierced a hole with his finger on one of the nearby boulders and he then tied the animal to it. Probably, both of them took part in tying the animal. Furthermore, it is possible that with the use of his finger, Jibrail merely removed the dirt etc. that accumulated over the hole with the passage of time.

Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)  entered Masjid Al Aqsa and offered two Rak’at (of Tahiyyatul-Masjid). (Narrated by Hadrat Anas (R.A)).

Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A) narrates that Rasulullah (ﷺ)  said: “Both Jibrail and I entered the Masjid and both of us offered two Rak’at of Salah. [Bayhaqi Tafsir Ibne Kathir volume 6 page 302]

On this auspicious occasion, the other prophets were already awaiting the Prophet’s (ﷺ) arrival in the Masjid. Ibrahim (A.S) and Musa (A.S) were also amongst the prophets awaiting the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

When a number of people assembled in Masjid Al-Aqsa, a Muazzin called out the Azan and then the Iqamah. After this, Jibrail tooked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)  by the hand and led him forward. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)  says: “I led all of them in Salah. When I completed the Salah, Jibrail (A.S) asked me if I knew whom I led in Salah. When I replied in the negative, he said: “All the prophets who were commissioned before you, every single one of them offered their Salah behind you.”

According to another narration, even the angels descended from the skies upon this momentous advent of the Prophet(ﷺ) . The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ)  then led all the Ambiya (A.S) and the angels in Salah.

On the termination of the Salah, the angels asked Jibrail (A.S): “Who is this companion with you?” Jibrail replied: “This is Muhammad (ﷺ).”

According to another narration, Jibrail (A.S) replied: “This is Muhammad, the seal of all divine messengers.’ The angels asked: “Is he already commissioned as a Messenger?” When Jibrail (A.S) replied in the affirmative, the angels commented: “May Allah keep him alive and well. He is a wonderful brother and vicegerent.” In other words, he is our brother and the vicegerent of Allah Ta’ala.

Thereafter the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) met with the other Prophets.  Each one of them praised and glorified Allah Ta’ala in his distinctive manner.

Ascension to the Heavens

Subsequent to this, the Messenger of Allah ,(ﷺ) in the company of Jibrail (A.S) and other angels, embarked on the ascension to the heavens. According to some narrations, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ascended the skies mounted upon the ‘Buraq’ animal as per the preceding leg of the journey. However, according to other narrations, after his emergence from Masjidul Aqsa, he (ﷺ) ascended the skies with the aid of a ladder studded with gems and emeralds, accompanied by angels on either side of him.

قَالَ ابْنُ إسْحَاقَ: وَحَدَّثَنِي مَنْ لَا أَتَّهِمُ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: لَمَّا فَرَغْتُ مِمَّا كَانَ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ، أُتِيَ بِالْمِعْرَاجِ، وَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ، وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَمُدُّ إلَيْهِ مَيِّتُكُمْ عَيْنَيْهِ إذَا حُضِرَ، فَأَصْعَدَنِي صَاحِبِي فِيهِ، حَتَّى انْتَهَى بِي إلَى بَابٍ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ السَّمَاءِ، يُقَالُ لَهُ: بَابُ الْحَفَظَةِ

Ibn Ishaq says: “A reliable narrator informed me that Abu Saeed Khudri (R.A) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: “When I concluded my rituals at Masjidul-Aqsa, a ladder was brought before me. I have never set eyes on a ladder more beautiful than this ladder. This is the same ladder that enables the souls of people to climb to the heavens and it is the same ladder that a dying person casts his glace upon when he is about to breathe his last. My travelling companion Jibrail (A.S) hoisted me upon this ladder (and I continued ascending) until I reached one of the doors of heaven, which is referred to as ‘the door of the Hafadhah. [Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah by Hafiz Ibn Kathir volume 3 page 110, Sharah Mawahib by Zarqani volume 6 page 55]

Hafiz Ibn Kathir says: “After completing his rituals in Baitul-Maqdis, The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ascended the heavens with this very ladder, The Buraq was left tethered at the door of Masjidul-Aqsa during this period. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) descended from this celestial journey, he mounted the Buraq and returned to Makkah.[ Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah by Hafiz Ibn Kathir volume 3 page 110]

Travelling to the Celestial Realm and Meeting the Prophets.

In this splendid manner, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reached the first heaven. Upon this,

Jibrail (A.S) requested to be let in. The keeper of the first heaven enquired: “Who is with you?”

“Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is with me.” He replied. “Was he invited over here?” he asked.

When Jibrail replied in the affirmative, the angels warmly welcomed him and opened the door for him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered the portals of the first heaven where he came across an elderly man. Jibrail (A.S) revealed: “This is your father Adam (A.S). Greet him with Salaam.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) greeted him with Salaam. He affectionately responded to the Salam and added: “Marhaba! Welcome to a pious son and a pious Prophet.”

Whilst meeting him, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw some figures on the right side of Adam (A.S), and some on his left side. When Adam (A.S) glanced to the figures on his right, he smiled in delight, and when he cast his gaze to the figures on his left, he wept in sorrow. Jibrail (A.S) revealed: “The figures on his right represent his pious children, those destined for Jannah. When he casts his eyes towards them he is pleased. The figures on his left represent his evil children, those who are doomed to hell. He weeps in anguish when he casts his eyes upon them.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Musnad of Bazzar mentioned that according to Abu Hurayrah’s (R.A) narration, there was a door towards Adam’s right that was emitting a remarkably fragrant scent and there was a door to his left that was discharging a dreadfully foul stench. When he looked to the right, he would be overjoyed, but when he cast his glance to his left, he would become sad.

Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ascended the second heaven. In the same manner, Jibrail (A.S) requested to be let in. When the keeper of the second heaven asked who was with him, Jibrail (A.S) replied: “Muhammad (ﷺ) is with me.”

“Was he invited?” he asked.

When Jibrail (A.S) replied in the affirmative, the keeper commented: “Welcome! Welcome to such a majestic guest.” Here on this level, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw the Prophets, Yahya (A.S) and Isa (A.S).

Jibrail (A.S) ushered him into their company saying: “Here, this is Yahya (A.S) and Isa (A.S). Greet them with Salaam.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went to them and offered his Salam to both of them. They replied to his Salaam and remarked: “Welcome to a pious brother and a pious Prophet.”

Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ascended the third heaven and here again, Jibrail (A.S) asked to be let in as mentioned previously. Here, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) met Yusuf (A.S) and as before, he (ﷺ) said Salam to him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), (whilst relating this event) commented: “Yusuf (A.S) was bestowed with an immense portion of handsomeness.”

Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) visited the fourth heaven where he met Prophet Idris (A.S). He then proceeded to the fifth heaven where he (ﷺ) met Prophet Haroon (A.S). From there, he ascended to the sixth heaven where he met Prophet Musa (A.S). Then to the seventh heaven where he met Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). He saw him resting his back against the Baitul-Ma’mur. (The Baitul-Ma’rnur is the Qiblah of the angels and falls directly in line with the Ka’bah). Seventy thousand angels make Tawaf of this Baitul- Ma’mur every.

Jibrail (A.S) informed the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that this is his father and he should greet him with Salaam. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went ahead and said Salam to him. Ibrahim (A.S) replied to the Salam and remarked: “Welcome to a pious son and to a pious Prophet.”

To be continued ……