Believing that Meraj is a physical journey – A test for the Ummah

 

Believing that Meraj is a physical journey

– A test for the Ummah

 

As far as those people are concerned that Meraj occurred in sleep or that it was a high-class spiritual journey, as Mirza Qadiani says, they have to deny many incidents. 

 

It is obvious that no matter how outlandish the dream, there is no hesitation in describing it and neither does the listener deny it.  On the other hand, it is established through the Hadith that describing this incident was not deemed to be prudent due to the fear of denial.  (Ifaadatul Afhaam, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 200/201)

 

Ibn Abi Shaiba, Ahmad, Nasai, Bazzar, Tabarani, Ibn Mardway, Abu Nu’aim, Ibn Asaker, all relate those Hadith in which the condition of the nation after the journey of Meraj is described and say:

 

Some points are to be noted here:

 

Rigorously authenticated Hadith are present in the Sihah and Musnad Imam Ahmad and as per the opinion held by the Hadith-experts, there is no objection on the authenticity of these books.

 

The certainty of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that people will deny it shows that this was not a dream as often one sees strange things in dreams but no one makes it a point to deny them.

 

          Instead of being happy and glad about the journey of Meraj, before He related it, He was very sad as the disbelievers will definitely deny this journey which defies logic.  Now, one might think that if this was the case, then why was this incident related at all?  Even if it had to be related, it could have been related to as a secret a few Muslims with firm beliefs.

 

On the other hand, Hadhrat Umm Haani (May Allah be well pleased with her) tried her best to stop the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) from relating this incident before the disbelievers.  Even the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was worried.  For a long time, He remained seated in a state of sorrow, but eventually the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did relate this.

 

This shows that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was bound to relate this incident by Allah Most High.  The reason behind Meraj was to show the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) the wonders of Allah’s power, but after completion, this journey acquired an entirely different status.  Now, it had become a matter of faith.  First, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was ordered to relate this incident publicly before the Muslims and disbelievers.  Then with the mention of this journey in the Holy Quran, for all those who come until the Day of Judgment this incident was turned into one of those things believing in whom was necessary no matter how much it defies logic…

 

Thus, Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

 

Sublime is He Who took His (most beloved and intimate) Servant in a small portion of a night from the Sacred Mosque to the al-Aqsa Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, in order that We might show him (the Perfect Servant) Our signs. Surely, He is the One Who is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.  Surah Isra (17:01)

 

Then some objectives of this incident were described in this manner:

 

And We have made the vision (of Meraj) that We showed you but a trial for the people….  Surah Isra (17:60)

 

Thus, we have seen the results of this test that some Muslims apostatized and the disbelief of the disbelievers increased.

 

When the disbelievers asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) whether He had gone to Masjid Al Aqsa in the night and was present with them in the morning, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) affirmed this.  This shows that the Meraj was undertaken with His physical body.  Otherwise, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would have replied that this was a dream, when did I go there that you are asking me:  You were present here in the morning.

 

Clapping on such an occasion is a sign of one’s success…. and they considered their success in that they would prove the lie.  Obviously, this gladness can never arise from a strange dream.  Even if disrespect is intended, the most they could do is say that it was a dream which had no meaning although not one Hadith can be presented in which an opponent termed this as a worrisome dream.

 

Asking about the signs and landmarks of Masjid Al Aqsa as a test cannot be for a dream, as one who sees a dream cannot be sure that whatever he/she has seen is the truth.  It is for this reason that interpretation of dreams is required.  If Meraj was a dream, then there would have been no occasion to ask about the landmarks of Masjid Al Aqsa neither did the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would have had to reply to it……

 

That Masjid Al Aqsa was made to appear before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) when He was being asked about it shows that the spiritual unveiling (Kashf) was at that moment.  If the whole incident was a spiritual one, then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would have clarified that last night Masjid Al Aqsa were made to appear before Him.

 

Thus, by carefully reflecting on this Hadith it becomes obvious that this incident occurred in complete wakefulness.

 

When the disbelievers heard this incident, they were certain that this is such a blatant lie that anyone who hears it will not be able to accept it and will end up denying it.  They thought that they should first embroil Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be well pleased with him).  If he turns away from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), then no one will stay with Him.  They immediately ran to Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s (May Allah be well pleased with him) house and asked:  Your Friend claims that He went to Masjid Al Aqsa last night and came back.  Will you acknowledge this as well?  But they were talking to Siddiq whom such ill winds could not budge.  He said:  There is no hesitation in acknowledging this provided the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has said this.  (Ifaadatul Afhaam, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 204-207)