It is related in other narrations that Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) led the other prophets in the prayer. Masjid al-Aqsa has been the center of all Prophet (alaihis-salaam), since the period of Khalil Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam) therefore all the Prophets (alaihis-salaam) gathered in the Mosque and Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) lead them in prayers. This proves the high position of the last Messenger, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) amongst the previous Prophets and Messengers (alaihis-salaam). [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
In the Qur’aan, Allah, the Exalted mentioned the story of Isra wal-Miraaj [Soorah al-Isra (17): 1], soon in the next verse is a quick shift to uncover the shameful deeds and crimes of the Jews, followed by the admonitions of the Qur’aan. This arrangement is not merely a co-incidence, Jerusalem was the first scene of the Night Journey, and here lies the message directed to the Jews which explicitly suggested that they are discharged from the office of leadership of humanity due to the crimes they perpetuated (committed and continued). The message explicitly proves that the office of leadership is re-instituted by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) to hold both the headquarters of the Abrahamic Faith, Holy Sanctuary in Makkah and the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem. Thus, the authority was granted to the nation blessed with piety, and obedience to Allah, with a Messenger who enjoys the privilege of the Qur’aan that guides people to the Truth. [Adapted from al-Raheeq al-Makhtoom]
Choosing the Fitrah - Two vessels of gold were brought to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), one full with milk and the other with wine. Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) to choose either of them. He selected the vessel containing milk and drank it. Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) said: “You have been guided on al-Fitrah and you have attained al-Fitrah. Had you selected the wine, your nation would have been mislead.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee v: 6, no: 232]
[Note: Fitrah is the pure instinct inborn in every child, which recognizes Allah; if this instinct is not corrupted it leads to the belief in Allah's Oneness]
Imaam an-Nawawi (rahimahullah) said that the reply of Jibreel (alaihis-salaam): “You chose al-Fitrah” meant that he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) chose the religion of Islaam, i.e. “You have chosen the emblem of Islaam and Istiqamah (being steadfast on the Straight Path). The milk was a sign because it is easy to drink, good and tasty, while wine is “the mother of all evil” and a cause for cruel acts.”
It is a symbolic way to saying that good and evil were brought before the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and he instinctively made a choice for the good. Today, in the world when man is turning away from the Fitrah in search of life other than the Way prescribed by Allah, we see him wandering astray and involved in all sorts of evil. It is essential for him to stick to the Way commanded by Allah because “whosoever turns away from My Reminder (Qur’aan) verily, for him is a life of hardships and We shall raise him up blind.”
[Soorah Ta-Ha (20): 24]
“And whosoever is blind in this world (i.e. does not see Allah’s Signs and believes not in Him), will be blind in the Hereafter, and is more astray from the Path.”
[Soorah al-Israa (17): 72]
Angel Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) ascended with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) to the Heavens. Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) writes in his book al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah: “Ascension did not take place on al-Buraq, for al-Buraq was tied to the door of Bayt al-Maqdis, so that he could ride back to Makkah.”
After the visit to Masjid al-Aqsa, Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) and the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) set out to the first heaven. Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) asked the guardians of the Heaven to open the gates, he was asked: “Who is it?” he replied: “Jibreel”. It was again asked: “Who is accompanying you?” He said: “Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)” It was said: “Has he been sent for?” Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) replied: “He has indeed been sent for.” The Angels said: “(Marhaba) He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!” The gates were opened and they saw Adam (alaihis-salaam). Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) said to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam): “This is your father, Adam (alaihis-salaam). Pay him your greetings.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) greeted him and Adam (alaihis-salaam) returned the greetings and said: “You are welcome, O pious son and pious Prophet.” and prayed for his well being.
Then they ascended to the second Heaven and similar as before, Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) asked the guardians to open the gates of the Heaven and they inquired about him and his company. This dialogue took place at the entrance of all seven Heavens. Eventually the gates were opened and they were welcomed with the greeting: “(Marhaba) He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!”
They ascended to the third Heaven and saw Yusuf (alaihis-salaam), who had been given half of the (world’s) beauty. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) greeted him and he returned the greetings and welcomed him and ascended with them to the fourth Heaven. The gates were opened and Idris (alaihis-salaam) was there. Allah says about him: “We evaluated him to the exalted position.” [Soorah (19): 57] Idris (alaihis-salaam) welcomed the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and they greeted each other. Then Idris (alaihis-salaam) ascended with them to the fifth Heaven and there was Haroon (alaihis-salaam), he welcomed them, returned the greetings and prayed for the well being of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam).
Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) was taken to the sixth Heaven and there he saw Moosa (alaihis-salaam), he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “I met Moses on the night of my Ascension to Heaven. He was a tall person with lank hair as if he belonged to the people of the tribe of Shanu's….” [Saheeh al-Bukharee v: 4, no: 647]
Moosa (alaihis-salaam) welcomed the Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), they greeted each other and Moosa (alaihis-salaam) prayed for the well being of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). When they left, Moosa (alaihis-salaam) wept. Someone asked him: “What makes you cry?” Moosa (alaihis-salaam) said: “I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.”
They ascended to the seventh Heaven and found Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam) reclining against Baitul Ma’mur (the much-frequented House), into which seventy thousand angels (who will never visit again) enter every day...” He (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “I saw Ibraheem (radiyallahu anhu), whom I resembled more than any of his children did.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee v: 4, no: 647]
Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam) welcomed the Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and they greeted each other and Ibraheem (alaihis-salaam) prayed for the well being of Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam).” [Refer to the narrations of Saheeh al-Bukharee v: 5, no: 227 and Saheeh Muslim]
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (radiyallahu anhu): “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “On the night of my Ascension (Miraaj) I met Ibraheem (radiyallahu anhu) and he said to me: “Muhammad (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), Convey my salaam to your people and tell them that Paradise is a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water and its trees cry: ‘Holy is Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is none worthy of worship save Allah, and Allah is Great.”
[at-Tirmidhee no: 1445]
No comments:
Post a Comment