One of the most important lessons of the journey of Isra’ and Mi’raj (Night Journey and Ascension) is that it highlights the high status that Al-Aqsa Mosque has in the Muslim Ummah. It was to Al-Aqsa Mosque that the Night Journey of the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam was made and from it that the Prophet’s ascension to the Heavens took place.

Ceding Al-Aqsa Mosque (to the Zionists) might be a preliminary step towards ceding Allâh’s Sacred House. Both Al-Aqsa Mosque and Allâh’s Sacred House are sanctified and precious to Muslims.

The journey of Al-Isra’ was a sign that the leadership of the world would move to the Muslim Ummah. Such leadership was based on mercy and justice, not on oppression and aggression.

Another significant lesson of Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi’raj is knowing the importance of prayer; it is through prayer that one can directly communicate with his Almighty Lord.

Al-Isra’ was a land-to-land journey that Allâh Almighty caused His Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam to make from Makkah to Jerusalem, that is, from Almighty Allâh’s Sacred House to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Al-Mi’raj was a land-to-heaven journey from Jerusalem to the heavens. It was a journey to a place that no human being other than the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam had ever reached [or has reached since]. It was a journey to the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary, whose place only Almighty Allâh knows.

Such two journeys were a turning point in the Prophet’s life and in the course of his call in Makkah, especially after all the suffering he Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam had faced at the hands of the Quraysh.

Allâh Almighty wanted Isra’ and Mi’raj be an alleviation and relief to His Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam. He Almighty wanted to tell His Prophet that if the people of the earth had let him down, the people of heaven were there to support him; if the people of the earth had rejected his call, Allâh Almighty would receive him and His Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) would follow him and he would be their imam.

That journey was an honour and compensation to the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam from Almighty Allâh. It was also a preparation for him to the following stage of his call. A few years later, he Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam would migrate to Madinah, where he Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam would lead a life of strife and jihad and confront the Arab tribes and other parties that would stand as one man against his international call.

In fact, it is not known exactly when the Night Journey and Ascension took place, but it was certainly before the Hijrah [emigration from Makkah] to Madinah. It was said to have happened either three years or 18 months before the Hijrah.

Anyway, there are two important points that we are to concentrate on in discussing Isra’ and Mi’raj. The first thing is to contemplate how Allâh Almighty linked His Sacred House and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and why He Almighty wanted to inform us that Al-Aqsa Mosque was a main destination of the Night Journey. We should meditate why the Night Journey was from Allâh’s Sacred House to Al-Aqsa Mosque, from which the Ascension to heaven was made, why Ascension did not take place from Allâh’s Mosque to heaven directly.

This indicates that Al-Aqsa Mosque, that sacred place which Allâh Almighty has blessed, was a main destination of the Night Journey.

Prophet Muhammad’s being received by other Prophets of Allâh Almighty in Al-Aqsa Mosque and his leading them in Salâh [ritual prayer] there is also significant. It indicates that leadership was moved to a new nation and to a new prophethood.

It is significant that Prophet Muhammad’s mission was not like the missions of the previous prophets. Each of all the other prophets Alayhimus-Salâm was sent to his own people, while Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam was sent to all mankind [and jinn]. He Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam was sent as a mercy to the worlds at all times. This was a sign of the eternity and internationality of His message Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam.

Thus, his going to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the land of Prophets, from which came Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and Jesus, was an indication that leadership of the world had moved to the new international message, Islam.

Allâh Almighty wanted Muslims to realize and deeply appreciate the relation between His Sacred House and Al-Aqsa Mosque. It was from His Sacred House that the Night Journey began and to Al-Aqsa Mosque that it reached.

Allâh Almighty has blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its neighbourhood. He Almighty says in that regard: “Glorified be He Who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed” (Al-Isra’:1) [The Inviolable Place of Worship mentioned in this verse refers to Allâh’s Sacred House and the Far Distant Place of Worship refers to Al-Aqsa Mosque.]

Mind that Allâh Almighty had blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its neighbourhood and referred to it even before even the Prophet’s Mosque was built, as the Prophet’s Mosque was established after his immigration to Madinah.

Mind also that when Prayer was ordained on the Muslims, Al-Aqsa Mosque was the Qiblah to which they were to turn during Prayer. They would turn their faces in Prayer towards it for three years in Makkah, and for 16 months in Madinah before the Qiblah was changed to Allâh’s Sacred House.

Besides, Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the three mosques to which Muslims are required to dedicate time for visiting; the other two mosques are the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. This shows that Jerusalem is the third sacred place after Makkah and Madinah in Islam.

Allâh Almighty wanted to establish and emphasise the significance and sacredness of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Muslims’ hearts so that they do not cede it for anything. They are to hold it as sacred as both Allâh’s Sacred House and His Prophet’s Mosque.

That was why the Muslims [when they were strong] were zealous to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque under their rule and protection.

Hence, Muslims must realise the importance of Jerusalem in their history and the significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in their religion and life.

Allâh Almighty wills that we remember the importance of Al-Aqsa Mosque when we celebrate the anniversary of Isra’ and Mi’raj.

This is to remind us of the gravity of the circumstances in which Al-Aqsa Mosque is in this age. We must not give up our responsibility in defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem. This is a sacred issue to fight for. Brothers and sisters, we should not, under any circumstances, give up our role in that regard.

The Jews dreamed of establishing a state (in the land of Palestine) and managed to achieve that dream. That being so, we at least must not give up hope that one day we will again have Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem under our control. We should not lose hope of that at all, even if we see surrender embodied everywhere in our status quo.

We must believe that Allâh Almighty is with us and that He Almighty will grant us victory and make Islam prevail, as He, Most High, always supports the true believers.

Imams Ahmad and At-Tabarani reported on the authority of Abu Imama Al-Bahilai (may Allâh be pleased with him) that the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “A group of my nation will keep being in the side of right and victorious over its enemy; no party of their enemy can cause them harm; the only harm that may afflict them is (physical) exhaustion. They would be like so until the Day of Judgment.” The Prophet’s Companions (may Allâh be pleased with them) asked, “Where would they be, Allâh’s Messenger?” He Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “In Jerusalem and the surrounding vicinity.”

The second most important lesson that we are to learn from Isra’ and Mi’raj is concerning Prayer [Salâh]. It is known that Prayer was ordained on that great night.

It is because of the great importance of Prayer that Allâh Almighty ordained it in heaven. He Almighty sent for His Messenger to mankind Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam and caused him to go on a night journey and ascend to heaven and the Lote Tree to inform him Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam of the ordinance of Prayer.

Mind that all other ordinances were decreed on the earth. This indicates how important Prayer is in Islam. It symbolizes ascension to heaven; it is the Muslim’s spiritual ascension to heaven.

Thus, Prayer is the gift that the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam brought with him from that journey to all Muslims so that they can worship Allâh Almighty through it.

Prayer had to do with Al-Aqsa Mosque. Al-Aqsa Mosque was the first Qiblah in Islam. If it is true that Isra’ took place in the tenth year of the Prophet’s mission, this would mean that the Muslims’ Qiblah in Prayer was towards Al-Aqsa Mosque for three years before the Hijrah to Madinah and 16 months after it.

Then Almighty Allâh decreed that the Qiblah be changed towards the Sacred Mosque. Allâh Almighty says: “So turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever ye may be, turn your faces when ye pray) toward it.” (Al-Baqarah: 143)

When the Qiblah was changed, the Jews raised doubts about that. Allâh Almighty says: “The foolish of the people will say: What hath turned them from the Qiblah which they formerly observed?” (Al-Baqarah: 142)

The Jews spread rumours that the Muslims’ Prayer [to the first Qiblah] was invalid and so would not be rewarded. Allâh Almighty refuted their claims as He, most High, says: “And We appointed the Qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the Messenger from him who turneth on his heels. In truth it was a hard (test) save for those whom Allâh guided. But it was not Allâh’s purpose that your faith should be in vain, for Allâh is full of pity, Merciful toward mankind.” (Al-Baqarah: 143) According to this verse, “your faith” refers to Prayer, as Prayer is a symbol of one’s faith.

To sum up, Prayer is the spiritual means through which Muslims can ascend to their Lord. If the Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam ascended to heaven (once), we, brothers and sisters, could spiritually ascend to there as much as we can through Prayer.

Allâh Almighty says in a qudsi [divine] hadith: “I have divided the Prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says, ‘Praise be to Allâh, the Lord of the universe,’ Allâh the Most High says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ And when he (the servant) says, ‘The Most Compassionate, the Merciful,’ Allâh the Most High says, ‘My servant has lauded Me.’ And when he (the servant) says, ‘Master of the Day of judgment,’ He Almighty remarks, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’

And when he (the worshiper) says, ‘Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help,’ He Almighty says, ‘This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.’ Then, when he (the worshiper) says, ‘Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray,’ He (Allâh Almighty) says, ‘This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.

The story of Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam
The Quran teaches us that Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam was thrown into a fire by Nimrood and his people because they refused to accept the truth. They built a huge furnace and intended to throw him therein. Historical narrations mention that firewood was collected for a period of one month and the fire was then lit and kindled for seven days. The fire became so huge that birds flying overhead would fall into it and perish due to the flames. The people themselves could not even go close to the fire due to it’s intensity. They were about to give up their plan but Shaitaan then gave them the idea of catapulting Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam into the fire. As he was about to be thrown in, Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam came to ask him if he needed any help but he replied : “I need help, but not from you. Allah is sufficient for me.”

Allah Ta’ala mentions : “We (Allah) said : ‘O Fire! Be cool and peaceful for Ibraheem.’ “(Surah Ambiyaa, Verse 69)

By the command of Allah Ta’ala, Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam was not harmed by the fire. The strings that tied him were burnt, but he was not harmed in the least. In fact, Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam later remarked : “I never experienced such peace and comfort in my entire life as those seven days which I spent in the fire.” (Ma’ariful Quraan)

The story of Abu Muslim Khawlaani Rahimahullah
A similar amazing incident occurred to a pious person by the name of Abu Muslim Khawlaani Rahimahullah during the early history of Islam. It was during the time when Aswad Anasi, the false prophet, claimed prophethood in Yemen. Once he called Abu Muslim Khawlaani and asked him : “Do you believe that Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is a prophet of Allah?”
Abu Muslim replied in the affirmative.
Aswad Anasi then asked : “Do you believe that I am a prophet of Allah?”
Abu Muslim Khawlaani replied in the negative. Aswad Anasi then ordered that a huge fire be lit and that he should be thrown into it. This was accordingly done, but by the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, the fire did not harm Abu Muslim Khawlaani Rahimahullah.

People then advised Aswad Anasi : “If you leave Abu Muslim Khawlaani to live here he will cause more trouble.”

Abu Muslim Khawlaani was, therefore, forced to leave Yemen. He set off for Madinah. This was the time shortly after the demise of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu was the khaliph. When Abu Muslim reached Masjidun Nabawi, he tied his conveyance and began performing Salaah close to a pillar in the Masjid of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu was present and saw him in the masjid. He asked Abu Muslim : “Where are you from?”
Abu Muslim replied : “From Yemen.”
Umar continued : “What is the story of that companion of ours who was thrown into a fire by that enemy of Allah (Aswad Anasi) but he was not harmed?”
Abu Muslim replied : “That was a person by the name of Abdullah Ibn Thawb.”
But Umar asked: “Is that not your name?”
“Yes,” replied Abu Muslim.

Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu was so taken aback that he kissed Abu Muslim on his forehead and then took him to meet Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu. Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu then remarked : “All praise be to Allah Who gave me the chance to to see a person from the Ummah of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam who had an ordeal similar to Ibraaheem Alaihis Salaam.” (Hilyatul Awliyaa)

Lessons
1. Allah protects those who obey Him.
2. Allah Ta’ala is in complete control of all conditions. He can remove the quality of fire to burn if He so wishes.