The word Meraj means ascension. Shab-e-Meraj means the night of ascension. The word Shab is Persian, meaning night. In Arabic it is called Lailatul Meraj.
.png)
On the night of Miraj, the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw many people surrounding Adam (peace be upon him). He was smiling when he looked to his right and crying when he looked to his left. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked about this, he was told that they were all descendants of Adam. Adam (peace be upon him) used to smile when he saw his righteous descendants and cry when he saw his wicked descendants. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) was given the opportunity to see in detail.
1. At one place he saw some people harvesting crops, and the more they harvested, the more they grew. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked Gabriel (AS) - Brother, who are these? In response to this question, Gabriel (AS) said, "These are those who are fighting in the way of Allah."
2. Then he saw some people's heads being crushed by stones.
3. Then he saw some people whose clothes were tied in front and behind. And they were eating grass like animals. About their identity it was said that they did not pay zakat on their wealth, nor did they give charity.
4. Then he saw a man who was trying to pile up wood and lift it as a load, but despite his failure, he kept adding more wood to his load.
When asked about the identity of this man, he was told that this man had a burden of responsibility that he could not bear. Yet, instead of reducing the burden, he took on more responsibility.
5. In the next scene, he saw some people having their lips and tongues cut off with scissors. When asked about them, he was told that they were unwise talkers. They would say whatever came to their minds. They would create mischief in this society.
6. Then a stone appeared in a place, which had a small crack in it. A fat ox came out of it. Then it tried to enter it but could not. When asked about this, it was said, "This is the example of an irresponsible person who, ashamed of saying something that causes trouble, wants to remedy it, but cannot."
7. At one place, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw some people cutting and eating their own flesh. They were identified as those who used to accuse and slander others.
8. Next to them were some people who had nails made of copper, with which they scratched their faces and chests. It was said about their identity that they used to slander them in the absence of people. They used to insult their honor.
9. Some people had lips like the lips of a snake and were eating fire. It was said about them that they used to devour the wealth of orphans.
10. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saw some people whose stomachs were extremely large and full of poisonous snakes. People were trampling them and passing over them; but they were unable to do anything. It was said about their identity that they were usurers.
11. Then the Prophet of Allah saw some people who had good meat on one side and rotten, foul-smelling meat on the other. They were eating rotten meat while leaving good meat. They were identified as people who, despite having lawful wives, were fulfilling their sexual desires illegally.
12. He also saw some women who were hanging by their breasts. It was said about them that these were women who claimed children who were not the offspring of their husbands as their own.
While observing these scenes, the Prophet (PBUH) met an angel who seemed to be in a rough and gruff mood. The Prophet (PBUH) asked Gabriel (PBUH), "Of all the angels I have met so far, all of them are cheerful. Why is he like this?" Gabriel (PBUH) said, "He has no business being cheerful. He is the guardian of Hell." Hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wanted to see Hell, and immediately the curtain was lifted from his vision and Hell appeared in its terrible form.
Journey to the Throne of the Almighty, crossing the seven heavens
In the first heaven, he met Adam (AS). Adam (AS) welcomed Prophet Muhammad (SAW). At that time, the sound of Marhaba, Marhaba resounded from the entire heaven. After crossing this level, he reached the second heaven. Here he met Yahya (AS) and Jesus (AS). In the third heaven, he met Yusuf (AS), in the fourth heaven, Idris (AS), in the fifth heaven, Harun (AS), in the sixth heaven, he met Musa (AS). Upon reaching the seventh heaven, he saw a huge palace, Baitul Ma'mur. Numerous angels were coming and going here. Here he met a great personality with whom he had a resemblance. He learned that this was Ibrahim (AS). Then he started to climb higher. As he ascended, he reached Sidratul Muntaha. Allah Almighty says, “To Sidratul Muntaha, near which is the Garden of Life.” (Surah: An-Najm, verses: 14 and 15)
Then the Rafraf came for him, and he ascended there and ascended to the Throne of the Almighty, alone. He ascended so high that Allah the Almighty says, ‘That is, he was on the upper horizon. Then he came close to him, very close. So there was a distance of two bowshots between them, or less.’
(Surah: An-Najm, Verses: 7, 8, 9)
There he had the privilege of having many more conversations with Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Here are a few of the conversations he had with Allah:
1. The possibility of forgiving any sin other than shirk has been revealed.
2. The last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah have been taught.
3. Whoever intends to do a good deed, one good deed is recorded for him. And when he actually does it, ten good deeds are recorded; but whoever intends to do a bad deed, nothing is recorded against him. And when he actually does it, only one bad deed is recorded for him.
4. 50 times of prayer are made obligatory daily, which was later reduced to five times and it was announced—‘Ma yubaddalul kawlu ladayya wama anaa bijallamin lil abidi’ meaning, O Prophet (peace be upon him)! Nothing is changed from My Almighty Self and I do not want to cause more hardship to My servants. So if you and your Ummah offer five times of prayer daily, 50 times will be recorded instead of five.
For example—Allah the Almighty has said in Surah An’am, ‘Man zaa bilhasanaati falahu ashara amsaliha.’
Meaning: O Prophet! Whoever does one good deed to draw near to me, ten good deeds will be written for him instead of one good deed. (Subhanallah)
fter finishing his conversation with Allah, he said goodbye and went to Sidratul Muntaha. From Sidratul Muntaha, he came to Baitul Muqaddas on the Buraq with Jibraeel (AS). Then he again climbed the Buraq and went to Mecca. May Allah grant us all the tawfeeq to learn from the Miraj and act accordingly.
Amin.