Al-Isra' and Al-Mi'raj

Description: The Miraculous Night Journey from Makkah to the Farthest Mosque [Baitul Maqdis in Juressalem], and the Ascent through the Spheres of Heaven. Allah ordered the Muslims to pray the five daily prayers .

By Ben Al-Hussaini.

In the twelfth year of his mission, the Prophet made his night journey from Makkah to Baitul Madis in Jerusalem, and thence to heaven. His journey, known in history as Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi'raj.It was a real bodily journey, Allah the Exalted Knows best. It was at this time that Allah ordered the Muslims to pray the five daily prayers.

Almighty Allah had says:

Glorified [and Exalted] be He [Allah, above all that evil they associate with Him], Who took His slave Muhammad for a journey by night from Al-Masjid al Haram [at Makkah] to the farthest mosque [Baitul Maqdis in Jerusalem], the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, order that We might show him [Muhammad] of Our Ayat [proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.]. Verily, He is the All Hearer, the All Seer." [Surah Al-Israq, 17:1 Quran]

In a Hadith reported that Malik Ibn Sasaa said that Allah's Messenger SAW described to them his Night Journey saying: "While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here."

I asked Al-Jarud, who was by my [Malik] side, "What does he [the Prophet SAW] mean?"

He [Al-Jarud] said: "It means from his throat to his public area," or said, "From the top of the chest."

The Prophet SAW further said: "He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled [with Belief] and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me."

On this Al-Jarud asked: "Was it in the Buraq, O Abu Hamzah?" I [Anas] replied in the affirmative.

The Prophet said: "The animal's step [was so wide that it] reached the farthest point within the reach of the animals' sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.”

"When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has Muhammad been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said. 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said to me: 'This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the Second Heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel answered in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened. "When I went over the second heaven, here I saw John [Yahya bin Zakaria] and Jesus [Isa bin Maryam], who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said to me: "these are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.' So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the Third Heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked 'Who is it?' And Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph [Yusuf], Gabriel said to me: 'This is Joseph, pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the Fourth Heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. IT was asked 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' "The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Enoch [Idris], Gabriel said to me: 'This is Enoch; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the Fifth Heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Aaron [Harun], Gabriel said to me: "this is Aaron; pay your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: "You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet."

The Gabriel ascended with me to the Sixth Heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was said: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. It was said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' "When I went over the sixth heaven, there I saw Moses [Musa]. Gabriel said to me: "This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: "You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet." When I left him [Moses] he wept. Someone asked him: 'What makes you weep?' Moses said: 'I weep because after me there has been sent [as Prophet] a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the Seventh Heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' "So when I went [over the seventh heaven], there I saw Abraham [Ibrahim]. Gabriel said to me: 'This is your father; pay your greetings to him.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.'

Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary]. Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr [a place near Medinah] and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. Gabriel said: "this is the Lote Tree of the utmost and boundary.' Behold! There ran four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible, I asked: 'What are these two kinds of rivers, O Gabriel?' He replied: 'As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

"Then Al-Bait-ul-Ma'mur [the Sacred House] was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked: 'This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.' Then the prayers were enjoined on me: they were fifty prayers a day’.

When I returned, I passed by Moses, who asked me; 'What have you been ordered to do?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.' Moses said: 'Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel in vain. Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers'' burden.'

So I went back [1st], and Allah reduced ten prayers for me.

Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before.

Then again I went back [2nd] to Allah, and He reduced ten more prayers.

When I came to Moses he said the same. I went back [3rd] to Allah, and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day.

When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back [4th] to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.

"When I came back to Moses, he said: 'What have you been ordered?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.' He said: 'Your followers cannot bear fear prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lesson your followers' burden.'

I said: 'I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah's Order.' When I left, I heard a voice saying: 'I have passed My order and have lessened the burden of My worshippers.'"

®srikandeh

See: Prophet Muhammad.13.

Isra' Mi'raj : Suatu Tauladan Yang Muktabar .

Isra' Mi'raj : Suatu Tauladan Yang Muktabar .

Oleh pesona Ogos 5, 2006

Pada malam 27 Rejab, tahun kesebelas kerasulan junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad saw telah berlaku satu peristiwa yang amat menakjubkan yang dapat memberi pengajaran kepada umat Islam seluruh dunia berikutan berlakunya peristiwa itu.

Israk bererti perjalanan Nabi dari Masjidil Haram di Mekah ke Masjidil Aqsa di Baitulmaqdis di Palastin.

Allah swt merakamkannya dalam Surah Al-Israa’, 17:1 yang bermaksud:

“Maha suci Allah yang telah memperjalankan hambaNya (Muhammad) pada malam hari dari Masjidil Haram (di Mekah) ke Masjidil Aqsa (di Baitul-Maqdis), yang Kami berkati sekelilingnya, untuk memperlihatkan kepadanya tanda-tanda (kekuasaan dan kebesaran) Kami. Sesungguhnya Allah jugalah yang maha Mendengar lagi Maha Mengetahui.”

Mi'raj pula bererti perjalanan baginda saw dari Masjidil Aqsa ke Sidratul Muntaha di langit ketujuh, dekat singgahsana.

Allah menggambarkan dalam Al-Quran yang bermaksud:

“ Dan demi sesungguhnya! (Nabi Muhammad) telah melihat (Jibril dalam bentuk rupanya yang asal) pada waktu yang lain iaitu di Sidratul Muntaha. Dekatnya ada syurga tempat tinggal, (Muhammad melihat Jibril) ketika Sidratul Muntaha diliputi oleh sesuatu yang meliputinya. "

“Penglihatan (Muhammad) tidak berkisar daripada meyaksikan dengan tepat (akan pemandangan yang indah di situ yang diizinkan melihatnya), dan tidak pula melampaui batas"

“Demi sesungguhnya baginda telah melihat sebahagian daripada sebesar-besar tanda-tanda (yang membuktikan luasnya pemerintahan dan kekuasaan) Tuhan-Nya.”

(Maksud surah an-Najm, ayat 13-18)

Isra' Mi'raj dapat disimpulkan sebagai satu perjalanan kilat Nabi Muhammad saw pada malam hari atas kudrat dan iradat Allah swt dari Masjidl Haram ke Masjidil Aqsa. Baginda kemudian naik ke langit sampai ke Sidratul Muntaha, bahkan ke Mustawa dan sampai di bawah Arasy Allah (satu tempat di mana alam ini diatur) dengan menembusi tujuh lapis langit, lalu kembali semula ke Mekah pada malam yang sama.

Sesungguhnya peristiwa Isra' dan Mi'raj ini merupakan ujian yang paling getir dalam sejarah kenabian baginda saw. Masyarakat Arab yang sememangnya menentang baginda semakin kuat menghasut dengan menganggap Nabi saw gila dan hilang akal. Bagi mereka yang tidak kuat iman senang bersetuju dengan dakwaan Arab Quraisy. Namun bagi mereka yang berpegang kuat dengan ajaran nabi semakin kukuh kepercayaan mereka.

Mereka beranggapan, mana mungkin perjalanan yang begitu jauh (dari Masjidil Haram ke Masjidil Aqsa, yang memakan masa berbulan perjalanan) boleh dilakukan dalam masa yang singkat. Begitu juga adalah mustahil bagi mereka untuk mempercayai berlakunya peristiwa nabi naik ke langit. Kenderaan apa yang digunakan oleh baginda? Semuanya ini tidak masuk akal dan menjadi bahan ejekan mereka terhadap Nabi saw.

Demikianlah hebatnya cabaran Nabi saw untuk menjelas serta menangkis serangan perang saraf dari pemuka-pemuka Quraisy. Semua ini dilalui oleh baginda dengan penuh tabah dan sabar.

Daripada peristiwa Isra' dan Mi'raj ini memperkukuhkan keyakinan dan kepercayaan kita kepada Allah swt kerana Allah berkuasa untuk melakukan apa sahaja di luar kemampuan pemikiran manusia untuk memikirkannya.

Banyak pengajaran yang terdapat daripada peristiwa Isra' dan Mi'raj. Semuanya menggambarkan fenomena yang pasti akan berlaku ke atas umat baginda kelak. Segala gambaran ini hakikatnya mejadi teladan kepada kita semua

Peristiwa ini dirakamkan dalam hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Bukhari dan Muslim, antaranya:

Nabi saw menemui satu kaum yang bercucuk tanam menuai hasilnya pada hari yang sama. Ini gambaran kepada mereka yang berjihad pada jalan Allah, digandakan suatu kebajikan hingga 700 kali ganda.

Baginda juga melihat satu kaum yang menghantukkan kepala mereka kepada batu yang besar sehingga pecah kepala mereka, pulih semula dan dihantuk lagi sehingga pecah. Gambaran kepada mereka yang malas dan berat menunaikan solat.

Diperlihatkan juga kepada baginda sekumpulan manusia yang perutnya besar seperti rumah. Setiap kali mereka cuba bangun mereka jatuh. Gambaran bagi mereka yang mengamalkan riba. Terdapat juga sekumpulan yang menggunting lidah mereka. Putus, pulih semula dan gunting lagi. Gambaran bagi mereka yang suka menabur fitnah.

Pengajaran besar dalam peristiwa Isra' dan Mikra' ialah perintah mengerjakan solat yang diterima oleh baginda. Ini menunjukkan betapa keistimewaan solat jika dibandingkan dengan ibadat lain. Solat merupakan amalan yang paling awal yang akan dihisab di akhirat kelak.

Banyak lagi peristiwa yang boleh dilihat daripada berlakunya Isra' dan Mi'raj. Nabi melihat pelbagai bentuk penyeksaan bagi orang yang berzina, mengumpat dan juga diberi gambaran-gambaran tertentu seperti melihat nenek tua bongkok yang menjelaskan betapa dunia ini sudah terlalu lanjut dan hampir kiamat.

Isra' dan Mi'raj juga memberi peringatan bahawa manusia akan sentiasa diperdaya oleh tipu daya syaitan dan iblis, di mana semasa Israk nabi saw dikejar oleh jin afrit untuk menghalang perjalanan nabi saw.

Demikian juga hasil daripada berlakunya peristiwa Isra' Mi'raj ini nabi saw menerima penentangan daripada sekelompok manusia yang berhati batu – tidak mahu menerima seruan Islam malah berusaha untuk menghancurkan Nabi saw dan pengikutnya.

Banyak lagi pengajaran yang dapat dikutip daripada berlakunya peristiwa Isra' dan Mi'raj. Sama ada peristiwa ini akan memperkuatkan iman kita kepada Allah atau sebaliknya. Jika kita memikirkan semata-mata logik dan berdasarkan fakta sains tanpa menyorot alam roh dan kekuasaan Allah SWT maka kita pasti akan ragu-ragu.

Dalam Islam tidak semestinya yang logik itu benar dan yang benar itu logik. Contoh mudah dalam Islam 6-2=0 yang menolak sama sekali fakta matematik yang sepatutnya jawapannya 4. Maknanya secara lebih jelas jika seseorang itu percaya semua rukun iman yang lain tetapi menafikan kepercayaan kepada hari Kiamat atau malaikat sudah pasti dia tidak dikatakan orang beriman. Jawapannya: Iktikadnya terbatal, dan jawapannya pasti kosong.

Justeru, sempena peristiwa besar yang jatuh dan diingati dalam bulan Rejab yang barakah seharusnya menginsafkan kita sebagai umat Islam tentang keagungan Allah dalam menentukan segala ketentuan kita sebagai hambaNya. Ini adalah penanada aras yang paling ideal kepada kita dalam meningkatkan keimanan dan ketaqwaan kepada Ilahi sebagai muslim dalam membina hadhari pada abad kontemporari ini.

Jangan lupa ! sekalipun kita berusaha dan hampir kecewa, keajaiban dan karamah Allah itu sentiasa terjadi dengan kehendakNya bagi menyuluh jalan yang lurus kepada mereka yang redha menyerahkan diri bagi bergelar hamba serta taat mengerjakan perintahNya. Maha Suci Allah ! tuhan yang berada dia atas jalan yang lurus dan memberi kemenangan kepada hamba-hambanya....

Sumber : Dipetik dari Jernal Pengajian Islam, OCIS