A brief description of the journey of Meraj

The enmity and the constant refusal of the non-Muslims to recognize Him hurt and saddened the Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). To console, to make the beloved Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) happy and to make the people realize the true status of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam), Allah SWT summoned Him into His presence, gave him a tour of all the skies, the heaven and
the hell and favored Him with His Vision. The Holy Quran has referred to this heavenly journey as Isra
and the Hadith have referred to it as Meraj. Isra means to journey in night and Meraj means
perfection, zenith etc. The journey from the Ka’aba to Baitul Muqaddis has been called Isra and the
journey from Baitul Muqaddis to the heavens, Sidratul Muntaha and beyond is called as Meraj.
The verse of the Holy Quran:
Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest
Mosque whose precincts We did bless― in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is
the one Who heareth and seeth (all things). Surah Isra (17:1)
describes the journey clearly mentions the journey from the Ka’aba to Baitul Muqaddis; “some of Our
Signs” means the journey of the heavens and beyond them. (Madarij Un Nabuwwa, Vol. 1, Pg No:
158)
The journey (with the body and soul together and not the soul only) from the Ka’aba to the Baitul
Muqaddis and from there to the heavens, the tour of the heaven and hell and the Vision of Allah SWT
with the physical eyes, all this happened only in a small part of the night. This heavenly journey
happened on 12 Nabvi 27th of Rajab, after the journey of Taif and before the migration to Medina.
Most of the scholars write that the Meraj was granted to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
34 times; among them once together with His body and soul (Zurqani Sharh Al al Mawahib Ladunniya,
Vol. 8, Pg No: 13, Madarij Un Nabuwwa, Vol. 1, Pg No: 157). The person who denies the Meraj of the
body and the soul is a “Fasiq” (sinner) and an innovator in religion (Bida’ati). Mulla Jivan (May Allah
shower His Mercy on him) says: Meraj occurred in a state of wakefulness, for both the body and the
soul. This is the position of the Ahle Sunnah, so anyone who says that Meraj was granted only to the
soul or was granted in sleep, that person is misguided, a misguides others and is a Fasiq.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was resting in the house of Umme Hani which was near
the Ka’aba. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to the Prophet’s presence with angels who had radiant
torches in their hands and rubbed his face of camphor on the heels of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) opened His eyes due to the coldness
of Jibrail’s (Peace be upon him) face. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) requested: O Prophet of Allah
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Allah SWT summons You. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
went to the well of Zam Zam. His holy chest was opened and a vessel full of Iman and wisdom was
poured into it. The Buraq which was brought as a mount was so fast that it would set down its foot on
the farthest point of sight. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) mounted it and came to
Baitul Muqaddis and tied the Buraq to the ring where the earlier Prophets used to tie their mounts. All
the Prophets were waiting for Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) there. The Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) led them in Salaat. After that the tour of the heavens started. At
various levels, various Prophets welcomed Him. On the first heaven, the Father of all mankind,
Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) and on the 7th heaven, the Father of the Prophets, Prophet
Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) met Him. Along with all other Prophets, Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon
him) greeted the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) thus: O Prophet who have the ability to
have the vision of Allah, Blessings and Glory to You.
Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) went up to Sidratul Muntaha which is the place for
the radiance of Allah SWT. Whatever happened after that is neither expressible by the tongues nor
understandable by the minds. The secret dialogue between the Beloved and the One who loves has
been described by the Holy Quran as … Surah Najm-10. And Allah SWT granted the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) His vision which has been mentioned in the Holy Quran thus:
(His) sight never swerved nor did it go wrong! (17) For truly did he see of the Signs of his Lord the
Greatest! Surah Najm (53:18)
It has been mentioned in Kitab Al Shifa that many of the Sahabah and the Tabi’een say that the Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had the vision of Allah Ta’ala with His physical eyes.
Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) says: Verily, on the night of Meraj,
Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw His Lord twice (al Mawahib Ladunniya Vol. 8, Pg
No: 247). Hadhrat Ka’ab (May Allah be well pleased with him) gave a cry that echoed around the hills
and said: Hadhrat Moosa (Peace be upon him) heard the voice of his Lord and Hadhrat Muhammad
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw Him.
Hadhrat Ma’az bin Jabal (May Allah be well pleased with him) says: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi
wa sallam) said: I saw my Lord. It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abuzar Ghifari (May
Allah be well pleased with him), that he asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam): Did You
see Your Lord? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, Yes: I saw the Noor al Haq
(Radiance of Truth) (Muslim Shareef, Vol. 1, Pg No: 99).
Hadhrat Abdul Razzaq (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) who is a teacher of Imam Bukhari’s
teachers says: Hadhrat Hasan Basri (May Allah be well pleased with him) used to say on oath that the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw His Lord (Al Mawahib Laddunniya, Vol. 8, Pg No: 244).
It has been mentioned in Kitab Ash Shifa that Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (May Allah be well pleased
with him) was asked about this. He said: My position on this is what Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May
Allah be well pleased with him) said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saw Allah SWT,
saw Allah SWT saw Allah SWT. Imam Ahmed kept saying this till he lost his breath.
The Mounts of the Journey of Meraj
On the night of Meraj, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used 5 mounts.
1. From Makkah to Baitul Muqaddis- Buraq
2. From Baitul Muqaddis to the first heaven- A staircase of radiance
3. From the first heaven to the seventh heaven- On the wings of the angels
4. From the seventh Heaven to the Sidratul Muntaha- On the arms of Jibrail (Peace be upon him)
5. From the Sidrah to the ‘Arsh- On His own blessed feet.
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came back after completing the journey in a very
short period of time: He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) announced this among the people of Mecca. The
Meccan people denied this and started taunting Him. This denial also shows that the Meraj was for the
body and the soul. If it was only for the soul, they could not have denied it.

Wasila for Jibrail

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the greatest Wasila for Jibrail (Peace be
upon him)
Jibrail (Peace be upon him) always used to think about pleasing the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam). It was in this connection that the he requested permission to spread his wings on the Sirat on
the Day of Judgment. And he conveyed his wish to Allah SWT through the greatest Wasila, the Holy
Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). It is given in Tafseer Ruh Al Bayan,
Vol. 5, Pg No: 121:
Translation: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Does a friend leave a friend in such a
place? Jibrail (Peace be upon him) requested: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), if I step
forward, I’ll be burned by the radiance of Allah SWT. In another Hadith it is recorded: If I come close
even to the extent of a fingertip, I will be burned to ashes. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) said: Do you have any wish that you would like to have conveyed to Allah SWT? Jibrail (Peace
be upon him) requested: O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), you please convey to Allah SWT
that I would like to spread my wings on the Siraat for Your Ummah, so that they can pass over it
easily.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gives the reward for the service done to
Hadhrat Ibrahim Khaleelullah (Peace be upon him)
Imam Zurqani relates a very interesting narration in his commentary on Mawahib e Ladunniya:
Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ibn e Abbas (May Allah be well pleased
with them) that Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: Ask me before you miss me.
Ask me about that knowledge about which neither Jibrail (Peace be upon him) knew anything nor
Mikail (Peace be upon him). The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) taught me from those
sciences which Allah SWT taught Him on the night of Meraj. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) said: My Lord gave me different kinds of knowledge. Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased
with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told me this and said: I was a
Noor in the body of Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) and was a radiant in his (i.e. Hadhrat
Ibrahim’s (Peace be upon him)) back. When Namrud (Nimrod) was about to throw Hadhrat Ibrahim
(Peace be upon him) in the fire, Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to him and said: O beloved of
Rahman, do you have any need? He said: I have no need from you, O Jibrail (Peace be upon him).
Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came for a second time. This time Mikail (Peace be upon him) was with
him. Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said: I have no need from you or from Mikail (Peace be upon him).
Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came for a third time and said: Do you have any wish for your Lord Allah
SWT? Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said, Brother Jibrail (Peace be upon him), the mark of a
beloved is not to disobey the wish of his Beloved.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Allah SWT made me talk, so I said: When I will
come to this world and Allah SWT will seat me on the station of Prophethood and will raise my status
above all others, then I will give a reward to Jibrail (Peace be upon him) for his good act with my
father Hadhrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Then when the night of Meraj came after Allah SWT sent
Me into this world. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to Me and remained with Me until he reached a
particular place and stopped there. I told Jibrail (Peace be upon him): Does a friend leave another in a
place like this? Jibrail (Peace be upon him) said: If I go beyond this place, rays of Allah’s SWT
Radiance will burn me. Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Jibrail (Peace be
upon him). Do you have any wish which you would like to be conveyed to the Allah SWT? Jibrail
(Peace be upon him) requested: O Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), please pray to Allah SWT
for me that I want to spread my wings on the Siraat for Your Ummah so that they can pass over it
with ease.
Jibrail (Peace be upon him) is not the teacher of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam)

Allah SWT taught the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Jibrail (Peace be upon
him) is not His teacher in any way
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the first among the creation. The Creator of the
worlds, Allah SWT Himself granted Him knowledge of the beginnings and the endings of the universe
( ‘Ilm UL Awwaleen wal Aakhireen ) and even more, and made Him the Teacher of the Universe.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) never learnt anything from anyone in this world. Allah
SWT Himself taught Him and granted Him the Knowledge of what has happened and what is to
happen.
As Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran Surah Rahman:
(Allah) Most Gracious! (1) It is He Who has taught the Qur'an. Surah Rahman (55:1)
In fact Allah SWT is the only teacher of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Whatever Wahi
of Allah that Jibrail (Peace be upon him) brought to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), he
brought it as a servant and as a ambassador. The work of Jibrail (Peace be upon him) was to convey
the Word of Allah. The meaning, intricacies, import and secrets of it were taught to the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) by Allah SWT Himself, so wherever the “taught” is used for Jibrail, it does
not mean that he actually taught the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), but it means that he
conveyed the Wahi of Allah SWT. Everybody’s ultimate teacher is Allah SWT, but in this world, Allah
SWT appoints a virtual teacher as well. For the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), there is no
virtual teacher in this world. Allah SWT has explained the reality of teaching and education by
attributing it to Himself:
It is for Us to collect it and to promulgate it: Surah Qiyamah (75:17)
Again in Surah Qiyamah:
Nay more, it is for Us to explain it (and make it clear): Surah Qiyamah (75:19)
Again in Surah A'ala:
By degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget, Surah A’ala (87:6)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also mentioned this teaching in His words, "Verily, Allah
SWT taught Me and brought Me up and He SWT brought Me up in the best way." (Mawahib Ladunniya,
ma’ Zurqani, Vol 5, Pg Mo. 297)
It us given in Tafseer Ruh Al Bayan Vol I pg no 31:
It is mentioned in the Hadith that Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) with the verse ‫(هي ٓع ٓص‬Kaaf
ٓ‫ڪ‬ Haa Yaa A’in Suaad) of Surah Maryam and recited Kaaf,
the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I know its meaning and truth (Haqiqa), Jibrail
(Peace be upon him) said: Haa, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I know its
meaning and Haqiqa. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) said: Yaa, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam) said: I know its meaning and Haqiqa. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) said: A’in, the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: I know its meaning and Haqiqa. Jibrail (Peace be upon him) said:
Suaad, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, I know its meaning and Haqiqa.
Jibrail (Peace be upon him) said, O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) What greatness is
this! I myself don't know the meaning of them and You know it!"
The above lines show that Jibrail (Peace be upon him) was no the teacher of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) even to the extent of teaching of an alphabet, instead he was entrusted
with the Wahi, was an ambassador, a servant and a vizier of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam).