A spotlight on the journey of relief!

Challenges keep creeping in frequently throughout lifespan; regardless how big or small they are, they need our attention, time and efforts. Every dawn comes with a different surprise that might be a frustrating shock or a wonderful blessing! What matters is how we handle every challenge that comes across our way, every time. Those challenges could be at our workplace or due to different attitudes of people or issues related to making a living. Nothing in life can be taken for granted.

It happens like anything else in life; days are not always the same. Yet, it is us who control how we run everyday life, regardless of what happens around us! Being optimistic and looking at the positive side of each experience we come across is the best way to overcome the disappointing moments. Though it is not easy to control our reaction, attitudes and feelings, but we should always try to live the moment.

Looking back at the old days of history, let’s reflect on the story of the Ascension Day of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The so-called Isra and Miraj day was a two-part night journey arranged by the Almighty Allah to the Prophet. The first part, Isra, was a travel on the back of a winged mule-like white beast, called Buraq, from Mecca to Jerusalem in Palestine where he led the past Prophets in a prayer. The second part was ascension of the Prophet to Heaven where he was instructed by Allah of the duty for Muslims to pray five times a day, which marks a pillar of Islam.

The story of Isra and Miraj is described in the Holy Quran, “Glory to Him Who carried His beloved by night from the Sacred Masjid to the Furthest Masjid, whose precincts We have blessed, to show him of Our wonders! He it is Who is All-Hearing, All-Seeing! Remember when We said to you that your Lord encompasses mankind in His knowledge. Nor did We make the vision We showed you except as a test to people, as also the accursed tree in the Quran.”

It has been believed that Isra and Miraj was not only a physical journey, but of a high spiritual level for the Prophet made the journey through spiritual vision. During his ascension, he was met by the past Prophets Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus and others as well. It is also stated that the Angel Gabriel accompanied him to some extent of the ascension.

The ascension was a matter of seeing Heaven and Hell and of getting new revelations from Allah. Before the night was over, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had returned to Mecca where his journey began. The Isra and Miraj journey was a relief to the Prophet after he lost his wife Khadija and his uncle, Abdulmotalib, who was signifying the real family support to him.

This historical event is observed by Muslims all over the world on the 27th of Rajab, the seventh month in the Islamic Calendar. The anniversary of this ancient story signifies the importance of patience while facing challenges of life. It teaches humans how strong they should be like all the Prophets of Allah who were struggling with their people. They were sparing no effort to guide their people and teach them the religions and messages from Allah.

All Prophets had a mission to accomplish and a message to convey, so they were patient enough to tolerate the disobedient people to their command and overcome all kinds of struggles in their lifetime. That journey of relief remains as a lesson to all people to be patient and wisely deal with challenges and disappointments.

All will run into unavoidable challenges along our journey. It is true that we may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated. When you feel that all roads are closed, Allah’s kindness will come to you from the impossible path.