The night of ascension

Every year, on 27th of Rajab al-MuraJjab,the Shab-e-Me’raj is celebrated by the Muslims throughout the globe. However,there is less uniformity with respect to the exact date, when the event tookplace but it is unanimously celebrated on 27th of this month, called by Muslimsas Laylat Al-Me’raj— the night of Prophet’s ascension. The event is beingcelebrated globally with the common feature of arranging huge gatherings in theform of conferences and seminars. The valley of Kashmir is  in the forefront to celebrate this religiousceremony so enthusiastically, as the valley exhibits the other occasions like Milad,and birth and death ceremonies of numerous Sufi Saints along with otherreligious festivals.

The whole event of Me’raj is mentioned intwo chapters of the Quran. One is named as Asra’ (Name itself signifies theNight Journey of Prophet Muhammad SAW). The first verse rather the first Raku’of it describes the whole episode of the horizontal journey of Prophet Muhammad(SAW). The vertical journey is described in Surah al-Najm. Moreover, theauthentic books on traditions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) depict the theme of Me’raj.These traditions are narrated by more than 40 narrators/companions of theProphet whose origin emanates from two; Abu Darr and Malik bin Sasa’ Ansari.The event is so significant and holds historical continuity that it leaveshardly any kind of doubt to be believed.

   

With respect to the date and place, it isdoubted by scholars throughout the history, but holds somewhat uniformityregarding the philosophy of Me’raj. While experiencing the event in the valleyof Kashmir since last fifteen years and listened the deliverances of religiouspreachers, irrespective of their schools of thought, it always perturbed me tocontextualize the Me’raj especially with respect to its contemporary relevance.There is a mix of interpretations advocated with respect to the diverse schoolsof thought. For some, it depicts the glory of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), for some,it exhibits the significance of deeds/prayers, for some, it describes the powerof Allah/Tawhid, and for others, it signifies the future establishment ofpolitical dominance of Muslims. Every one focuses on his view point. For this,they interpret and re-interpret the relative verses of Quran that support theirviews in one or the other way or seems to be so, without considering the God’spurpose and prophet’s commentary on these verses.

The event has been divided by theseadvocates as per their aspirations. The event is often described in a mannerthat hardly derives a message for the masses. With regards to the Fridaysermons, the whole month sometimes more than that is being taken by thereligious preachers to explore the event of Prophet’s Journey. We still wonderwhat it actually means to humanity in general and for Muslims in particular,said many people to me. This results into detachment of youngsters frommiracles of such kind.

Being a humble student of Islam and studiesof Islam, I tried to gather the interpretative explanations of above all and toexplore it in a holistic manner, keeping in view its relevance in our times.For me, it implies the nocturnal journey of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by and underthe command of Allah, encompasses Asra’ and Me’raj, to explicate the power ofAllah, to exhibit prophet’s glory, meant for the religio-political andspiritual development, according to the Islamic injunctions. The event can’thappen accidentally, it was actually the wholehearted regress worship thatProphet Muhammad (SAW) offered and got such a climax in servitude that led himto the stations of Dana and Aw-Adna. Through Prophet, the humanity got a higherstatus. Therefore, it was not only the Me’raj of the prophet –the servant ofAllah, but also the me’raj of humanity. It reminds us to remain always in theservitude of Allah, worship Him alone and devote to Him with complete devotion.

Therefore, it is the high time to celebratethe occasion once again, but with the idea of what it actually means, itshistoricity and authenticity, the philosophy behind it and its relevance to ourtimers.

Sartaj Ibn Bashir is a Research Scholar atShah-i-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies, University of Kashmir.

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