Rajab is the 7th month of the Islamic calendar.The meaning of Rajab means to 'respect '.The Arabs respected this month tremendously and it was named Rajab. Rajab is a name of a river in Jannah. Its water is whiter than milk and extremely sweet; those who fast in this month will be honoured to drink from it.

Tawheed: Israa and Mi'raaj

Israa' literally means a journey by night and Mi'raaj literally means an elevator. I.e. an instrument which lifts something up. But, in Islam, Israa' refers to a miraculous night journey made by the last prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) from Makkah to Jerusalam , up and out of the universe, through the seven heavens, and into the direct presence of Allah Ta'ala.

Mi'raaj

It took place approximately 1 year before Hijra. Jibraeel (Alayhis salaam) approached and awoke Rasoolullah (sallahu Alaihu wa sallam) while he was sleeping.

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was taken to Haram, to the ka'bah and was prepared for a journey, unique and remarkable in the history of the world.

In the Hateem, Jibraeel and Mika'eel (Alayhis Salaam) slit Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam's) chest, removed and cleaned his heart with the pure waters of Zam Zam, poured Hikmah (wisdom) and Imaan (faith) from a gold vessel into it, leaving Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) strengthened and equipped for the commencing journey.

Awaiting then at the edge of the mosque was the majestic Al-Buraq, a white winged beast, larger than a donkey, smaller than a mule. The Buraq was to transport Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to the seven heavens.

With each stride stretched as far as the eye can see, Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) mounted Al-Buraq, sped northwards with Jibraeel (Alayhis Salaam) to Al Aqsa Mosque.

On reaching, Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) dismounted, tied the Buraq to a hitching post used previously by all prophets, entered the mosque. This by the order of Allah Ta'ala was a means of proving that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was the leader.

Then Jibra'eel (Alayhis salaam) brought Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) three vessels, containing wine, milk, and honey. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) looked at them and chose the milk. Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) said,'Praise be to Allah, who has guided you to the Fitrah (natural disposition).'

From there Jibra'eel led Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to the first Heaven, and knocked on the gate and the gatekeeper asked, "Who is it? " After receiving Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam's) reply he asked," Who is accompanying you?" Jibra'eel answered"It is Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)." To which he further questioned, "Has he been invited?" Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) said," Yes." He said, "Then welcome to him, welcome." The inhabitants of Heaven welcomed him joyfully.

At the first heaven they saw a man with a multitude of people. The people on his right caused laughter, and on his left caused grief.

The man said, "Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son." Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned the greeting and asked, "Who is this?" Jibra'eel answered, "This is Adam, and the multitudes on his right are the souls of his descendants who are people of paradise, and on his left are those people of hell." These groups were such whom were the cause of his laughing and weeping.

They then reached the second Heaven, the gatekeeper with Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) and met, "Isa and Yahya (Alayhis Salaam)." Similarly the same occurred on each of the Heavens. On the third he met Yusuf (Alayhis Salaam), on the fourth, Idris (Alayhis Salaam), on the fifth, Haroon (Alayhis Salaam), the sixth, Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) and climbing a ladder to get to each Heaven higher up.

On the sixth Heaven Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made his way higher, Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) wept. In reply to Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam's) concern, he aid, "I weep because of a young man sent after me, whose Ummah will enter Paradise in greater numbers than mine."

It must be kept in mind that Hazarat Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) did not weep out of envy, Allah forbid, but out of sorrow for those from amongst his Ummah who were disobedient.

Onwards from there, they made their way to the seventh Heaven and met Hazarat Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam) who was leaning on Bait-ul-Ma'moor (the much frequented house); a building parallel with the Ka'bah and directly above it in the Heavens. Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) inquired about it and Jibra'eel informed him of 70,000 angels who pray and performed Tawaaf by it daily, then make way for another 70,000 angels and not one from any of them is given the chance to return till the day of Qiyamah.

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was taken to see Paradise and Hell. He viewed Paradise's bounties whose domes were pearls and earth pungent musk, and Jahannam's severities. He also reached the point where he heard the ‘Pen of Predicament' writing away.

Then Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was taken to the Lote tree (Sidratul Muntaha)

This is the place where anything which comes up from earth stops there and is taken from there, anything which comes down from the regions stops there.

It was at this point that Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) appeared manifest in his original form before Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam).

Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) remained alongside and guided Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) till the Lote tree beyond which none may pass, or go further.

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) said," You're telling me now to go forth alone when you've remained with me from the Hateem till the 7th Heaven, even till the Sidratul Muntaha (the Lote tree), so why are you leaving me now?"

Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) said, "Oh Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam), if I move from this but even as much as one wing, because of the radiance of Allah's noor (light) all my 600 wings will burn and wither away. This is your excellency and great merit that you are going ahead."

So Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) went forth, Allah Ta'ala blessed him with his nearness until he was very close.

'THE SECRET OF THIS VEIL IS UNTOLD AND UNTOLD IT SHALL REMAIN'

It is said that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam ) was given three gifts upon this occasion:

  • The ending Ayahs of Surah Baqarah.
  • The good news of salvation to those of his Ummah who do not attest polytheism.
  • The compulsory 5 times Salaat.

With these he made his way back down, and met Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) who questioned him, "What ordinance did you receive from that select place of audience?"

On hearing about the order of 50 times Salaat Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) advised, "I have experienced a lot with Bani Isra'eel. Your Ummah will not be able to fulfil this. You must return and make a request."

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned and requested, "Oh my Lord, my Ummah is weak in body and mind, pray lighten our load."
The order was, "Ten Salaat have been made less," So he returned, but Moosa (Alayhis salaam) questioned him again and advised him to request once more. This happened repeatedly till at last all that remained were 5 salaats. Regarding these Allah Ta'ala said: "They are 5 prayers but they are equal in reward to fifty, for my word does not change."

He returned to Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) who advised," Go back to your Lord, by Allah I urged Bani Israel to do less than that and even then they failed."

Yet this time Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) said "I feel ashamed to go before my Lord again, and for disputing with Him."

Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) said "then go down in the name of Allah."

Thus, this was the end of a miraculous and fruitful journey, by the time Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) returned to Masjid-e-Haram Fajr had dawned.

The significance of the night of Mi'raaj

The miraculous night journey of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) provided him with additional proof to show to people that he had been sent by Allah Ta'ala. It would not have been possible to prove his prophet hood to people by describing his trip into the heavens as it was something none had ever experienced before. It would have only sounded like a dream or far fetched story. But some of them had then been to Jerusalem and so accurate was Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam's) description of the Masjid Al Aqsa and its surroundings in detail that would confirm his claims. Besides he also provided a description of a caravan and lost camel and all this proved beyond doubt that he was a Nabi of Allah Ta'ala.

Lessons learnt from Mi'raaj

  • 1. Salaah: The greatest pillar of Islam. Salaah was the first act of which Allah made compulsory on Muslims and it was the only one which He ordered in Makkah. All the other pillars of Islam were made obligatory in Madinah, after the Hijrah. This pillar is so important that Allah Ta'ala chose to ordain it when He spoke directly to Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) in the heavens.
  • 2. To make a firm commitment not to miss a single Salaah in one's life.
  • 3. The Mi'raaj of a believer in one's Salaat five times daily. In this way one can be in contact with Allah Ta'ala.
  • 4. Not to delay in the performing of the Salaah.
  • 5. Males must read all their Salaah with Jamaat.

Fasting

Learned scholars say it was not the practice of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa salaam) to fast on the 27th of Rajab.

Dua

"Allahumma barik fee rajaba wa sha'baana wa ballighnaa ilaa ramadhan"
"O' Allah bless us in the month of Rajab and Sha' baan and let us see the month of Ramadhan."