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The Me’raj of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is one of his greatest miracles and a manifestation of the Qudrat of Allah Ta’ala. At every juncture of this journey we see the exalted status of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the esteemed honour and Maqaam that Allah Ta’ala has granted him. Hereunder we will discuss a few beautiful points related to the night of Me’raj, which highlights the exalted status of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has been granted the rank and miracles of every Prophet and much more. Hazrat Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) was granted the honour of conversing with Allah Ta’ala at the Mountain of Toor, Hazrat Esa (Alaihis Salaam) was elevated to the fourth heaven, while Hazrat Idris (Alaihis Salaam) was raised to Jannah. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was blessed with the Me’raj, in which he conversed with Allah Ta’ala, travelled the heavens, inspected Jannah and Jahannam, and above all, saw Allah Ta’ala with his physical eyes.
All of the Prophets bore witness to Allah Ta’ala, Jannah, Jahannam, etc. and made their respective nations declare, “I bear witness that there is no being worthy of worship besides Allah Ta’ala.” However, none of their testimonies were based on actually seeing these; their testimonies were only a result of what they heard. Testimony is actually based on seeing. Therefore, there was a need for a unique personality from the respected group of Prophets to see all of these and bear witness to them. This personality’s testimony would complete the witnessing of others. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is that blessed personality whose testimony is such. This is gestured to in the verse of the Holy Qur’an wherein Allah Ta’ala states, “O Informer of the Unseen News (Prophet), We have indeed sent you as a witness.” [Surah 33, Verse 45]
All the Prophets gave testimony, but their testimony was supported by Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). This is why Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the Seal of Prophethood, because the culmination of testimony by hearing is through testimony by sight. If his advent had to occur first, there would not have been a need for any other Prophet after him, because what purpose does testimony by hearing serve after testimony by sight has already been established?
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “Indeed Allah has purchased from the believers their wealth and their lives in exchange of which for them is Paradise.” [Surah 9, Verse 111] Allah Ta’ala is the buyer of the lives and wealth of the believers and the Muslims are the sellers. This transaction occurred by the recognition of the Exalted Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and he through whose recognition a transaction occurs, must see the stock and its compensation. So it was said, “O Beloved, you have seen the wealth and lives of the Believers, now come and see Jannah and the mansions, gardens etc. of your slaves; in fact come and see the Buyer Himself (i.e. Allah Ta’ala).”
Through Allah Ta’ala’s bestowal, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the Malik (owner) of the entire dominion of creation. This is why ‘La Ilaaha Illallaahu Muhammadur Rasoolullah’ is written on every leaf of Jannah, on the eyes of its Maidens and everywhere else. It signifies that these things have been created by Allah Ta’ala and given to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). So on the night of Me’raj, it was the will of Allah Ta’ala to show the king his dominion.
The Me’raj occurred from the home of Hazrat Sayyidah Umme Haani (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha), (the daughter of Abu Talib), on Monday the 27th of Rajab at night, 11 years and 5 months after the proclamation of Prophethood. It occurred from here so that Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) could enter the house without permission. Had it occurred from the home of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) would have needed to call out from the door and enter after gaining permission, or enter without any permission whatsoever. Indeed both of these options are impermissible and against the honour and respect of the court of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), as Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “Certainly those who call you from outside your private rooms, most of them do not have any understanding (regarding your lofty status), [Surah 49, Verse 4]” and “O Believers, do not enter the homes of the Prophet until you get permission. [Surah 33, Verse 53]”
Neither is it permissible to call the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) from outside nor are we allowed to enter his home without permission. The angels are also believers and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is the Prophet of the entire creation.
Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) presented himself with a procession of angels and the Buraaq, which was to be the ride of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The chest of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was opened and his blessed heart was washed with Zam Zam water, and his chest was filled with Noor and wisdom. Thereafter he was dressed in a heavenly garb and the Buraaq was brought forward. Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) took hold of the Buraaq’s reigns while Hazrat Israfeel (Alaihis Salaam) stood behind. The procession of angels surrounded the Buraaq entirely and the procession of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then left Makkah in such a glorious and honoured manner.
After reaching Baitul Muqaddas (Jerusalem), Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) led all of the Prophets as well angels in Salaah, while Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) called out the Azaan and Iqaamat. SubhanAllah what a glorious Salaah this was!
After leading the Salaah in Baitul Muqaddas, the journey towards the heavens took place. The Buraaq and angelic procession undertook the journey with Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and they continued passed the heavens, one after the other, while Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) met different Prophets on each level. After passing the seventh heaven, Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to the point of Sidratul Muntaha, where his companionship with Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) came to end.
The Sidratul Muntaha is a kind of berry tree. Its leaves are the size of elephants’ ears and its fruits are like jugs. This is the final point which Hazrat Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) could travel to. When he reached this point he apologized for not being able to travel further, to which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remarked, “O Jibra’eel, etiquette requires that you not leave your companion.” Sayyiduna Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) replied, “If I advance even a hair’s breath, the brilliance of the Tajalliyaat (Manifestations) will burn my wings. This manifests the Maqaam of Nooraniyat (inherent nature of light) of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), that the leader of the angels, who is made of Noor, cannot proceed any further due to the intensity of the Tajalliyaat, yet Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) proceeded far beyond to the proximity of Allah Ta’ala where no one has or ever will reach. SubhanAllah!
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to seek knowledge from the Holy Qur’an so that we may increase our love for Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Allahumma Ameen.
[Compiled from Shaan-e-Habeebur Rahman min Aayaatil Qur’an by Hakeemul Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi Rahmatullah Alaih]
