Meraj-Un-Nabi Conference at Jamia Masjid Aulia Allah Surrey

On April 15, Islamic Association of Western Canada in association with Jamia Masjid Aulia Allah held a heart-warming gathering, in the celebration and commemoration of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) Night Journey (Al-Isra and Al-Meraj). This extraordinary journey took place during the Makkan Period and in it there are many lessons to be learnt by the Ummah. The program was well attended by the Muslim community. The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Famous local and national Naat Khawans including Brother Imran Tipu, Brother Ishfaq, Brother Sheryar, Brother Abid Attari and Brother Salis presented beautiful Naats in the honour of Holy Prophet (saw). Lead Imam and Khateeb of Jamia Masjid Aulia Allah and also MC of the evening, Alhaj Maulana Alama Abdul Latif Naumani spoke about the importance of Meraj and how our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and Love be upon him, ascended to the seven heavens. His ascension took place from Jerusalem, where he was carried into the heavens on a flying horse named Al-Buraq. This miraculous night journey is one of the most important events in Islamic history because it not only established daily prayer in the Muslim way of life, but also tested the Faith of Muhammad’s companions. Miraj tells us that human beings can rise up from the depths of the lowest pits to the heights of the divine. The audience was overwhelmed with emotions upon hearing about these events. Another prominent and famous speaker, Shamas Jilani Sahib gave a heartfelt speech about the Waqae of Meraj. There is no doubt that the Isra’ and Meraj (the Prophet’s Night Journey and Ascent into heaven) are two great signs of Allaah which point to the truthfulness of the His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the greatness of his status before Allaah. They are also signs of the great power of Allaah, and of His exalted position above His creation. The main speaker of the event Imam Syed Badiuddin Soharwardy Sahib spoke about the Isra’ and Meraj in detail. The Isra’ and Meraj of Holy Prophet (saw) took place in three parts, each corresponding to the tri-dimension persona of Holy Prophet (saw). The first part of the journey was from Masjid alHaram to Masjid al-Aqsa as is mentioned in the first verse of Surah Bani Isra`il. This part of the Journey was to be known as the Isra. This journey was related to the outward physical dimension of Holy Prophet`s (saw) bashariyyah [Humanity]. Holy Prophet (saw) came with a bodily form to this earth so that he may give us i.e. Mankind, fayd [blessings] in the form of hidayah [guidance]. This Meraj relating to the bashariyyah was concluded when Holy Prophet (saw) led the Anbiyah [Prophets] in prayer and became their Imam. The second part of the journey, which is known as the Meraj, was from Masjid alAqsa to Sidrat al-Muntaha. This journey was in relation to the ruhanniyyah [spirituality] and nuraniyyah [the light] of Holy Prophet (saw). It was here at the point of Sidrat al-Muntahah that Holy Prophet (saw) became Sayyid al-Nur [Master of the Lights]; he became the leader of the whole of Alim al-Khalq [World of Creation] from the bashr [mankind] to the Malaikah [angels]. The last and final part of the journey was from Sidrat al-Muntaha to Qaba Qawsain; this part of the journey is called I`raj. The I`raj is related to the haqiqah [reality] of the Holy Prophet (saw), which is known only to Allah and his Prophet (saw). It was at this point that the Meraj of Holy Prophet (saw) in relation to the tri-dimensions was completed. Here at Qaba Qawsain that Holy Prophet (saw) met Allah and had seen him with not only with his eyes but also with his heart. At the end Maulana Noumani made a heartfelt Dua for all those who attended the program and offered special prayers for the entire Muslim Ummah. Program was concluded with recitation of Salam to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SA).