By Safa Rahman
Miraj:
After the stop at Masjid al Aqsa, the next destination was to the heavens. Upon the arrival to the door of the heavens, Jibreel (A) requested permission for those doors to open. When the gate of the first heaven opened, there was a man standing inside who the Prophet (s) described to be massive in height – Adam (A). The Prophet said, “Salam” to Prophet Adam (A) who responded by saying, “Welcome oh noble son and noble prophet.”
In the second heaven, stood Yahya (A) and Isa (A). After the Prophet (s) said, “Salam” to them, they replied, “Welcome oh noble brother and oh noble prophet.” Each prophet after them would continue a repetition of this same greeting. In the third heaven, Muhammad (s) met Yusuf (A). Muhammad (s) described him by saying, “It was as if he had been given half of all beauty.” In the fourth heaven, Idris (A) welcomed the Prophet (s). Muhammad (s) met Harun (A) in the fifth heaven and Musa (A) in the sixth.
On the final, seventh heaven, the Prophet (s) found Ibrahim (A)sitting on the Bayt Al Mamoor, which is described in Surah Tur to be the “frequented house.” This “frequented house” is often referred to as the kaaba of the heavens. Some say it is positioned directly on top of the kaaba on Earth. About 70,000 angels enter Bayt Al Mamoor daily to perform tawaf and they never return. Ibrahim (A) on the Bayt Al Mamoor, symbolizes how he was the first person to build the kaaba. Muhammad (s) said Ibrahim (A) told him regarding his ummah, “O Mohammed, give my salams to your ummah. And inform them that jannah, its soil is beautiful and luscious. But it is barren. And the seedlings that we put on this soil will come from everybody saying, “Subhanallah walhamdulillah wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar.” For every one of these acts of remembrance, dhikr, we perform, a tree is planted in Jannah. This tree which has branches that extend from the sixth to the seventh heaven, is the Sidratul Muntaha. The Sidratul Muntaha holds great significance as it is the highest point anything from Earth raises till. Around the tree are butterflies whose colors are made out of gold and four rivers (two are hidden and the other two are visible). When the Prophet (s) asked Jibreel (A) about the rivers, he said that the two hidden ones are in Jannah. The other two are the Nile and Euphrates River.
After visiting each of the heavens, the Prophet (s) alone was given the honor to be close to Allah (swt)’s presence. In Sahih al Bukhari, Muhammad (s) said, “Then, I was caused to ascend forth and I arose to a level where I could hear the pen writing,” Allah (swt) told the pen to write. The pen asked what it shall write. Allah (swt) told it to write everything that will happen until the day of judgment. Originally, Allah (swt) commanded the Prophet (s)’s ummah to pray 50 times a day. When he went back down, he met Musa (A) again who said to go back to Allah (swt) and ask for a reduced amount. Allah (swt) said that the five prayers are rewarded as 50 prayers. Indeed, prayer, an act performed by Muslims all over the globe, that seems engraved in the lifestyle of many, holds importance on a striking level. Muhammad (s) received the obligation above the solar system as a whole, over the seven heavens and from the Creator.
Ending of Surah Baqarah
The ending of Surah Baqarah was also revealed to Muhammad (s) on this journey. As a result, the last two verses of Surah Baqarah are very blessed as the Prophet (s)said it has been given from underneath the throne of the treasure of Allah (swt). The next time you read these two ayats, remember the journey and the magnificent story behind each verse.
Words of Reflection
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He too alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing,” (Quran 17:1). Al Isra wal Miraj was indeed a sign of how big the universe is and how much we do not know about it. It’s a sign of Allah (swt)’s indescribable powers and existence. It’s entirely miraculous how the entire journey was done in one night that, especially at that time, would take a month just to get to Madinah on foot or camel. However, defying all odds, Muhammad (s) went farther into this universe than any ship could sail to or any spaceship could reach.
About the Author
Safa Rahman is an American-Muslim girl who loves to express herself through pen and paper and uses her voice to inspire the voices in others. She is currently a high schooler who hopes to make an impact in the world one word at a time. Instagram: @safa__t__rahman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rahman.t.safa