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The
Meaning of Isra' and Mi'raj in Islam
The
Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey and Ascension
By Huda, About.com
Al-Aqsa
Mosque, Jerusalem David
Silverman/Getty Images Hitler's
Third ReichDid you know that radical Islams
have connections to Hitlerwww.iconofevil.com Islam
Quran
Muhammad
Articles
on Islam Allah
The
year 619 A.D. was known as the “Year of Sadness” in Islamic history. The Muslim
community was under constant persecution, and in that year the Prophet
Muhammad’s beloved wife Khadeeja and his uncle Abu Talib both died. Without Abu
Talib’s protection, the Muslim community experienced ever-increasing harassment
in Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad visited the nearby city of Taif to preach the
Oneness of God and seek asylum from the Meccan oppressors; he was eventually
mocked and run out of town. In the midst of
this adversity, the Prophet Muhammad had a comforting experience, which is now
known as Isra’ and Mi’raj (the Night Visit and Ascension). During the
month of Rajab, the Prophet Muhammad made a night -time trip to the city of
Jerusalem (isra’), visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and from there was raised
up into heaven (mi’raj). While there, he came face-to-face with previous
prophets and received instructions about the number of prayers the Muslim
community should observe each day. Muhammad and his followers perceived this as
a miraculous journey, and it gave them strength and hope that God was with them
despite recent setbacks. Non-Muslims, and
even some Muslims, debate over whether this event was an actual physical
journey, or merely a vision. The majority view among Muslim scholars is that
Muhammad truly traveled in body and soul, as a miracle from God. The Isra’ and
Mi’raj is not universally observed by Muslims. Some individuals or communities
conduct special lectures or reading about the story and the lessons to be
learned from it. Muslims use the time to remember: ·
the importance of Jerusalem
in Islam; ·
the schedule and value of
daily prayer; ·
the relationship among all
of God’s prophets; ·
and how to be patient in the
midst of adversity. Suggested Reading Jerusalem
in IslamIslamic
HolidaysIslamic
Calendar Other
Observances ·Milad
an-Nabi - Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad ·Halloween: An Islamic
Perspective http://islam.about.com/od/otherdays/a/isra-miraj.htm |
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