🌌 The Mystical Voyage of Miraj: Understanding Muhammad’s Night Journey and Spiritual Ascension

🎇 Miraj (المعراج) - Definition and Significance

Definition and Meaning

Miraj, often referred to as the Ascension, denotes the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) where he was spiritually and physically carried from Mecca to Jerusalem and then ascended through the seven heavens. This event is believed to have taken place on the 27th night of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Miraj is not just a pivotal event in the life of Prophet Muhammad but also holds significant spiritual and metaphysical connotations, often interpreted symbolically in Sufi traditions.

Etymology

The term Miraj (المعراج in Arabic) comes from the root word “عَرَجَ” (‘araja) meaning “to ascend” or “to go up.”

Background

The event is narrated in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey, 17:1) and Surah An‐Najm (The Star, 53:13-18). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad was taken to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem (the “Farthest Mosque”) by the winged steed Buraq. From there, he ascended through the heavens, meeting various prophets in each level, finally reaching the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha) and coming into the presence of Allah.

Historical Facts & Dates

• The exact date of Miraj is debated, but traditionally it is commemorated on the 27th night of Rajab.
• The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is said to mark the spot from which Muhammad ascended into heaven.
• Caliph Umar (r. 634–644 CE) initiated the construction of Al-Aqsa Mosque following the conquest of Jerusalem.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

• Islamic Tradition: Miraj is celebrated through the recitation of scriptures, night prayers, and public lectures on its spiritual significance.
• Sufi Interpretation: Seen as a metaphor for the soul’s journey towards divine union and enlightenment. Each heaven corresponds to stages of spiritual development.
• Shi’a Islam: Additional emphasis is placed on the spiritual dimensions and deeper esoteric meanings within the event.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Isra refers to the initial leg of the journey from Mecca to Jerusalem but is often used interchangeably with Miraj.
• Nocturnal Journey or Night Ascension can describe the event’s overall essence.

Antonyms:

• Descent or Inaba (returning or descending).

Related Terms with Definitions

• Isra (الإسراء): The Night Journey, the first part of Muhammad’s journey where he travels from Mecca to Jerusalem.
• Sidrat al-Muntaha (سدرة المنتهى): The Lote Tree at the utmost boundary, a metaphysical place in the highest heaven Muhammad visited during Miraj.
• Buraq (البراق): The mystical creature ridden by Prophet Muhammad during Isra and Miraj.
• Al-Aqsa Mosque (المسجد الأقصى): The “Farthest Mosque” located in Jerusalem, where Muhammad ascended to the heavens.
• Sufism: An Islamic mystical tradition that interprets spiritual ascensions like Miraj symbolically, often reflecting on personal spiritual development.

Exciting Facts

• The Miraj is commemorated annually by Muslims worldwide, known as Lailat ul-Miraj or the Night of Ascension.
• The journey is seen as a testament to the profound faith and spiritual rank of Prophet Muhammad, instilling moral and ethical guidance to the Muslim Ummah.

Quotations from Notable Writers

• Rumi wrote, “In the night of power, I fly with my beloved, through luminous worlds, with angelic spirits soaring.”
• Ibn Arabi described Miraj as “the true spiritual path of the seeker, through stages of internal purification and ultimate communion with the Divine.”

Suggested Literature and Further Studies

• The Sealed Nectar by Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, discussing the comprehensive biography of Prophet Muhammad.
• Muhammad: Man and Prophet by Adil Salahi.
• Journey to the Lord of Power: A Sufi Manual on Retreat by Ibn Arabi, presenting a mystical interpretation of spiritual journeys.
• Journals like Islamic Studies, where peer-reviewed articles discussing theological aspects of Miraj are published.

Farewell: May Miraj inspire you to embark on your own spiritual journey, reaching the heights of faith and closeness to the Divine.