Ascension of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was the most
important event of his life. Allah (s.w.t.) wanted to show His signs to the
Last Prophet and sent Gabriel along with a special horse called “Buraq.” The
word Buraq relates to Barq or electricity signifying speed. He (s.a.w.a.s.) was
at the house of Umme Hani, the sister of Imam Ali (a.s.). Ascension is
mentioned in Surahs viz. Surah al-Isra, “Glorified be He who carried His
servant at night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, the precincts of which
We have blessed so that We may show him of Our Signs. Verily He is the
All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” Suarh al-Najm gives details of Ascension.
He (s.a.w.a.s.) started from Makkah, disembarked at Masjid
al-Aqsa, and went inside and visited Bayt-al-Lahm, the birthplace of Prophet
Isa and places of importance of other prophets. From here he continued his
journey to the Heavens where he was witness to the celestial bodies and the
entire Universe. He spoke with the spirits of the previous prophets and the
Angels; he saw from close both Paradise and the Hell; the secrets of the origin
of the Universe, and the Unlimited Power of Allah, the Highest. He continued
his journey till he reached to the region known as “Sidratul Muntaha,” a place
that was covered in grandeur and magnificence.
The point to remember is that Allah, the Most Powerful, took
His slave from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa and then took him to the skies and
beyond. If anyone denies this event, he is denying the Power of the Creator.
A lot of material has been written on this subject: some say
it was only a spiritual journey, others say it was a dream. If we study the Ayah
deeply, the answer to such allegations is denied in it.
The Ayah commences with the word “Subhana” denoting His
freedom from any deficiency. The following word, “Asra” which means “Made to
travel” so that others do not imagine that the means of this journey was
through the causes of the natural world and with normal ordinary means of
transportation. Another important part of the Ayah showing the Ascension was
bodily and spiritually is confirmed by the word “Abduhu” meaning His servant
which used to mean both to body and spirit. Had it not been so, He would have
said, “Beruhhehi” meaning his soul only.
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) narrates the Ascension,” When the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was telling the infidels of Makkah saying, “I saw the
angel of revelation (when he received the first revelation) in his original and
pure state. Gabriel, Michael and Israfil brought Buraq. They were controlling
it. First, we stopped at al-Tayyaba (Madinah), then at Bayt-al Lahm near Bayt a-l-Muqaddas,
where Isa was born. At these places I performed two units of salat. We reached
Bayt-al-Muqaddas, where I met Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and other prophets where we
were preparing to perform salat. When the lines were being formed, Gabriel holding
my shoulders pushed me forward to lead the prayer. Then we continued the
journey. I heard a sound that frightened me. On inquiry, I was told that was
the sound of a rock which had been thrown into the Hell seventy years ago that
just landed.” The angel opened the door for us, and we entered the Heaven. We met
the angel in charge of igniting the fire of Hell. Then we met Adam. Then we saw
a man holding a tablet of light. Sadness and gloom were on his face. I was told
he was the Angel of Death who said that he visits every house five times a day.
At the second heaven, I met Isa and Yahya, at the third
heaven I met Yousuf, at the fourth heaven I met Idrees, at the fifth heaven I
met Harun. On return from Ascension, He followed the same rout. At Bait-al-Muqaddas,
he met the Caravan of Quraish, who were searching for their lost camel. He
asked for water from them and drank it. In Makkah, he forecast the return of
the caravan before sunrise the next day. This was verified by the Quraish.
Source:
M’raj, the Night Ascension by Mullah Faydh al-Kashani
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