(The Miracle and Journey of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj) (A Journey of Love)

Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds, abundant, good, and blessed praise, as befits His majestic face and great sovereignty. He who revealed the Quran as a healing for the hearts, illuminating the hearts of the knowledgeable and pious. From its light, scholars and wise men have drawn wisdom.

I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the seal of the prophets and messengers, the leader of the righteous and pious. Peace and blessings be upon him, as they have been sent down since ancient times, and upon the angels in the heavens. He led the prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque with the prophets and messengers, and peace be upon his family, his companions, and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgment.

As for what follows:

The journey and miracle of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj occurred after the Year of Sorrow, during which Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, passed away, leaving the Prophet, peace be upon him, bereaved. During that same year, his uncle Abu Talib also passed away. In the journey of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj, the love of Allah for the Prophet, peace be upon him, becomes evident. Would a beloved allow his loved one to remain in sorrow? Could anything compare to the miracle of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj? Is there a love that equals or comes close to this love?

Through this miracle, Allah intended to meet His beloved, peace be upon him, bring him closer, and show him what he had not seen before:

"So that We may show him some of Our signs"

"He certainly saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord."

This journey is filled with secrets, lessons, and profound teachings. It established Muhammad, peace be upon him, as the Prophet of the Two Qiblas, the leader of the East and the West, and the inheritor of the prophets. It united the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram) and Al-Aqsa Mosque, symbolizing the universal nature of his message, the eternity of his leadership, the humanity of his teachings, and their suitability for all times and places.

The connection between Al-Masjid Al-Haram and Al-Aqsa Mosque holds meanings and lessons that highlight the significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque for all Muslims. It is the site of the Prophet's night journey, peace be upon him, and his ascension to the highest heavens. It emphasizes our responsibility toward it, as it represents the pulse and conscience of the Muslim community regarding the issue of Jerusalem. The Prophet's prayer with the prophets in Al-Aqsa Mosque further underscores its importance.

Returning to the divine love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, Al-Isra and Al-Miraj is a journey of love, bringing the Prophet closer to Allah, soothing his heart, and preparing him for the greatest struggle against disbelief and its proponents. During this journey, he saw many great signs, including, according to some companions, Allah Himself. He also saw Paradise, Hell, the prophets, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) in his true form, Sidrat Al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary), and witnessed examples of the blessings of Paradise and the punishments of Hell.

This magnificent yet brief journey was also a reflection of the Prophet's love for Allah. He once said:

"If I were to take a close friend other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr as a close friend."

Indeed, Abu Bakr, known as "As-Siddiq," believed in this event without a shadow of doubt.

During that blessed night, the five daily prayers were ordained. Initially, fifty prayers were prescribed, but upon the Prophet's request for ease, they were reduced to five. This carries deep meaning, as it indicates that our lives should be centered around worship. Had fifty prayers been maintained, they would have filled our entire day and night, reminding us that our primary purpose is to worship Allah:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

The journey of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj is a reminder to prioritize worship above all else, including other acts of goodness, like calling to Allah or seeking knowledge. These should not distract us from the essential acts of devotion, such as prayer, fasting, reading the Quran, supplication, and remembering Allah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, was in constant remembrance of Allah, making him beloved to Allah.

Our servitude to Allah is one of bliss. Even in Paradise, amidst its delights, we will be inspired to glorify Allah naturally.

Lastly, a profound message from Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, during this night:

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "I met Ibrahim on the night I was taken on the journey, and he said: O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your nation and tell them that Paradise has good soil and sweet water, but it is barren land. Its plants are: SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), La ilaha illallah (There is no deity but Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)."

And our final supplication is: Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds.

Dr. Muntaha Saleh Abdulaziz Abu Ain

Member of the Jordan Scholars Association