Remembering the Isra and Mi’raj

While leading scholars of the past and present have explained that shariah has not prescribed specific celebrations or acts of worship for Al-Isra wal Mi’raj, nor to single this day out for worship – it is useful nevertheless to use this yearly event to reflect and indeed focus our attention on matters of concern for the worshippers of Allah.

Al-Isra wal Mi’raj should be used to remind the world of the oppressive and unjust conditions under which the people of Palestine struggle for their freedom and dignity - the land of Palestine is the land of Al-Isra wal Mi’raj. 

Their reality consists of checkpoints, sanctions, refugee camps, the apartheid wall, illegal settlements and arbitrary killings. Since 29 September 2000, nearly 5000 Palestinians (a conservative estimate) have been killed compared to 1050 Israelis. Al-Isra wal Mi’raj should be used to give voice to the voiceless and to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice and emancipation.

The Isra wal Miraj should also remind us of the sanctity of Masjid al-Aqsa. It was to Al-Aqsa that Prophet Muhammad was taken on his night journey to lead all the prophets and messengers in a symbolic prayer. Masjid Al-Aqsa and indeed Jerusalem is the  third holiest place of worship for Muslims and the 1st Qibla.

Currently Jerusalem is under zionist occupation, and Masjid al-Aqsa is under threat by fanatical zionists who are hell bent on demolishing the Masjid in order to build a Jewish temple. In 1969, the Masjid was set ablaze, gutting nearly a quarter of it, and destroying the historical pulpit established by the great Salahaddin Al-Ayyubi. And in 2006 controversial excavations at the Al-Aqsa site threatened the foundations of the Masjid.

We should remind ourselves of the importance of Al-Quds in Islamic history and the significance of Al-Aqsa in our religious life. As Dr Al-Qaradawi says “We must not give up our responsibility in defending Masjid al-Aqsa and Al-Quds. This is a sacred issue to fight for. Brothers and sisters, we should not, under any circumstances, give up our role in that regard.”

According to most scholars the night of the 27th Rajab (after magrib on 30th July) marks the occasion of Al-Isra wal Mi’raj. It was a momentous event in the life of the messenger of Allah, taken on a miraculous journey from Makkah to Al-Quds (Jerusalem), from where he ascended the heavens by the power of Allah.

Al-Isra wal Mi’raj was an unique honour bestowed upon the prophet Muhammad, through it he was assured leadership of humanity and direct contact with Allah at a place where not even the angels could access. It was during the Mi’raj that the 5 daily obligatory prayers became institutionalised for the Muslim Ummah.