The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) returned from Taa’if, Allah Ta‘ala took him from Musjid-ul-Haraam to Musjid-ul-Aqsa, and from Musjid-ul-Aqsa to the seven heavens. Allah Ta‘ala took Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on this miraculous journey with both his body and soul, in a wakeful state, and this entire journey occurred in a single night.
The journey from Musjidul Haraam to Musjidul Aqsa is referred to as the “Israa”, and the journey from Musjidul Aqsa to Sidratul Muntaha is referred to as the “Mi’raaj”.
The Wisdom behind the Israa and Mi’raaj
It was in the eleventh year after nubuwwah on the 27th Rajab (according to the most famous view) that the mi’raaj had taken place. By this time, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had undergone all forms of tests and difficulties for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala. By this time, there was no form of outer humiliation and disgrace that he had not borne in the course of Islam.
Thus, when the humiliation Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was subjected to reached its peak with the boycott in the valley of Abu Taalib and the journey to Taa’if, then Allah Ta‘ala bestowed him with the privilege of Israa and Ascension, and Allah Ta‘ala elevated him to such a lofty rank that even the most revered of the closest angels of Allah Ta‘ala were left behind. Allah Ta‘ala made him journey to the highest point of the universe where he was taken up to the divine throne of Allah Ta‘ala, after which there is no further rank.
It is for this reason that some Aarifeen (pious saints blessed with the special recognition of Allah Ta‘ala) have mentioned that this journey to the divine throne was an indication of Khatm-e-Nubuwwah (the termination of prophethood). The entire creation and universe terminates at the divine throne. The existence of any creation beyond the throne is not established from the Qur’aan Majeed and Mubaarak Hadith. In the same way, all the virtues and noble attributes of prophethood reached completion with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
The Journey of the Israa
One night, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was in the home of Hazrat Ummu Haani (radhiyallahu ‘anha), resting on the bed. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was partially asleep when the roof of the room split open and Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) entered with a few other angels. Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) woke Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) up and took him to Musjidul Haraam. On coming to Musjidul Haraam, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered the Hateem and fell asleep again.
Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and Hazrat Meekaa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) came to him, woke him up and took him to the well of Zam-Zam. On coming to the well of Zam-Zam, they made Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) lie down. They then split open his mubaarak chest, removed his blessed heart and washed it with Zam-Zam water.
A tray of gold was then brought, which was filled with imaan and wisdom. This imaan and wisdom was placed in the blessed heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), after which his heart was returned to his chest and his chest was sealed once again. Thereafter, the seal of prophethood was placed between the shoulders of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (which was a physical, tangible sign of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being the final prophet of Allah Ta‘ala).
After Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and Hazrat Meekaa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) washed the blessed heart of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with Zam-Zam and placed the seal of prophethood between his blessed shoulders, the Buraaq was brought.
The Buraaq is a heavenly animal which is slightly smaller than a mule in size, but slightly bigger than a donkey. It is white in colour and moves extremely swiftly. Such is its speed that in a single step, it travels as far as the eye can see.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sat on the Buraaq then it became slightly rough in its movement. Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) addressed it saying, “O Buraaq! Are you becoming rough while Muhammed (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) rides upon you? Until today, there is no servant of Allah Ta‘ala who sat on your back who is greater and more honoured than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!” Hearing this, the Buraaq began to perspire out of shame and embarrassment.
The Buraaq then departed with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) towards Baitul Muqaddas while Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) and Hazrat Meekaa’eel (‘alaihis salaam) were accompanying him on the journey. This is the honour and splendour with which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) commenced the journey of Mi’raaj from Makkah Mukarramah to Baitul Muqaddas.
According to some narrations, after Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) made Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sit on the Buraaq, he also mounted the Buraaq and sat behind Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
(Seeratul Mustafa 1/287-291, Sharhuz Zurqaani 2/67-72, 8/3-4-84, Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah pg. 107-116, Rowdhul Unuf 2/187-213)
