AICP Annual celebration of Isra’ & Mi^raj-un-Nabiyy, peace be upon him, in British Columbia.
Surrey, British Columbia – March 8,
1aturally, Muslims observe the miracle of Isra’ MiAraj one of the greatest miracles Allah taAala granted our Master Muhammad, sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam, and blessed his nation with. As part of the Islamic community, the Association of Islamic &haritable Projects proudly commemorated this great miracle with a joyous celebration at urrey Arts &entre on unday, March th under the banner of Assembly of the Prophets .
The event was well attended consisting of a large crowd ( attendees) from the Muslim community of reater ancouver. The event commenced with a heart moving recitation from the Holy 4ur’an (Tilawat-ul4ur’an) followed by captivating and heartwarming Islamic chants performed by the one of a kind AI&P &hanting roup, who thanked Allah, taAala, praised the Prophet, peace be upon him, the kind Al, the &ompanions, and the pious awliya’.
:ith such a glorious occasion and in the presence of such a diverse crowd it was necessary to emphasi e on the purpose of this miracle. haykh AAbdur- ahman, the Imam of Masjid Ahulus- unnah wal -amaAah in 1ew :estminster, made it clear that Allah granted His Messenger this great miracle to honor him sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam by showing him the wonders of the upper world. This is stated clearly in The lorious 4ur’an in urat al-Isra’, erse that means To show him of ur wonders . The belief of the Muslims worldwide is that Allah, the &reator of all places, e ists without any place. Therefore, the Ascension of the Prophet to the heavens (upper world) never meant nor suggested that Allah is up there. Because Allah ubhanahu, is haniyy (not in need) of anything He created, including places. He does not need the upper world or any other place (subhanahu wa taAala).
The Imam also raised the subject of the sanctity and the significance of the Aqsa mosque and its dear place in the hearts of the Muslims. (specially, now that it’s suffering under cruelty and occupation by those who are not od-fearing and have no regard to any boundary or respect for any sacredness.
His (minence accentuated the vital need for solidarity, cooperation, cohesion, synergy and adherence to Islam by fulfilment of its rules. (mphasi ing the strength of Muslims is by our unity under the banner of this Islam through the absolute fulfilment of its rules. ur weakness is in our disintegration and distancing from the authentic religious knowledge with the illusion of unity with massive ignorance. :e ask Allah to unite us, increase our religious knowledge and mend our differences.
n this great occasion, AI&P asks Allah to grant Muslims peace and tranquility, unity and adherence to the rules of the eligion. :e ask Allah to bestow upon us the bounty of entering Paradise without torture and being with Prophet Muhammad sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam, in Al-)irdaws Al-AAla (ameen).
The story of Isra’ MiAraj Prophets were sent by Allah, the ( alted, as a mercy to the slaves and supported them with great miracles to signify the truthfulness of their message. ur Prophet Muhammad sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam was blessed with the most miracles from all the other Prophets. Isra’ and MiAraj is among the many miracles of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam.
After the Prophet, may Allah raise his rank, performed AIsha’ Prayer Angel -ibril came to him with al-Buraq and they set forth on their 1ight -ourney to -erusalem. During the -ourney, the Prophet passed by and prayed two rakAas in -Al-Madinah, known as athrib at that time, -Madyan, the country of Prophet huAayb Peace Be upon Him,
-Tur aina’,
-Bayt ahm where Prophet AIsa (-esus) was born.
-Then al-Buraq continued until they reached Bayt al-Maqdis (the Holy House). Allah the ( alted gathered all the prophets to meet with Prophet Muhammad, from Adam to AIsa (-esus), peace and blessings be upon them all. Angel -ibril led Prophet Muhammad forward to lead them all in prayer. This is a clear indication that Prophet Muhammad is highest in status than all the rest of the Prophets and Messengers. Among the wonders he saw in Isra’ were •He saw the world in the shape of an old woman
•He saw Iblis (the Devil) on the side of the road, but he did not dare to speak to the Prophet or to stand in his way.
•He saw the backbiters scratching their faces and chests with brass fingernails. After the Prophet sallallahu Aalayhi wa sallam took his 1ight -ourney from Masjid alHaram to Masjid al-Aqsa, he ascended to the upper heavens on stairs called al-Mirqat that is not usually visible to humans. The Messenger of Allah saw Prophet Adam in the first heaven, in the second heaven he saw Prophets AIsa (-esus) and ahya, he then ascended to the third heaven and saw Prophet usuf. He ascended to the fourth heaven and saw Prophet Idris.
He continued on his ascension and saw Prophet Harun in the fifth heaven, and then to the si th heaven where he saw Prophet Musa. Then the Prophet ascended to the seventh heaven and saw Prophet Ibrahim leaning his back against al-Baytul-MaAmur, the Holy House. To the inhabitants of the skies (the angels), al-Baytul-MaAmur is like the .aAbah to the inhabitants of the earth. (ach of these prophets welcomed and greeted Prophet Muhammad warmly and made supplication (duAa’) for him.
Among the other wonders the Messenger of Allah saw in MiAraj idratul-muntaha and al-wildanul-mukhalladun.
The Prophet saw the AArsh which is the ceiling of Paradise and the largest creation in si e that od has created. ^ iterally AlAArsh means Throne’. The AArsh’ here does not mean resembling a chair that a king sits on. But in fact, it resembles the shape of a bed (a flat surface with four pillars). It’s a majestically hugely vast body that is the ceiling of Paradise . Allah did not create anything bigger in si e than it, it is vastly larger than Paradise.
The true creed of Islam outline e plicitly that Allah taAala the &reator of everything does not need anything and does not need the AArsh nor does od sit on it. od is 1 T a body of any type and is clear of resembling any attribute among the creations. Therefore, since Allah e isted without a place before creating the Throne, od still e ists as He was without a place because He doesn’t need anyone or anything.
The seven heavens and the earth in comparison to the .ursiyy are like a ring thrown in a desert, and the .ursiyy in comparison to the AArsh is like a ring thrown in a desert. The .ursiyy in comparison to the AArsh are like a seed of mustard compared to the ocean. Allah created the AArsh as a sign and indication of His Power and did not create the AArsh to sit on as wrongly translated. od created the largest creation and elevated it to e ist in the highest place in this universe, praise be to od If od willed, the entire universe would be destroyed if it falls down. Imam AAliyy may Allah raise his rank said Allah created the AArsh as an indication for His Power, and He did not take it as a place for Himself.