The relevance of the message of 'Al Isra and Mi'raj', which the Muslim world observes on the 27th day of the month of Rajab, is all the more pertinent in today’s world, just as it is in all times of humanity, according to scholars.
Hatim al Abdisalam, a member of the Islamic Information Center and a board member of Hidayah Waqf Foundation, states that 'Al Isra and Mi'raj' is an important occasion because it instills faith in the hearts of believers.
Islamic belief states that 'Al Isra and Mi'raj' is the night on which Allah Almighty took prophet Mohammad (May peace be upon him) on a spiritual and physical journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to heaven during AD 570–632, where he witnessed a glimpse of the reflections of human actions on earth and how they lived in the world.
"Isra denotes the prophet's journey from Masjid ul Haram to Masjid ul Aqsa, while Mi'raj is the ascension along the seven skies until the limit stipulated by the Almighty. History has it that he spoke to Allah Almighty at the end of the journey. The five times mandatory prayers, one of the pillars of the monotheistic belief that every believer follows today, is the result of the meeting," Abdissalam explained. He added that one of the great things achieved through this journey is the establishment of prayers.
“If you go through the Holy Quran, you will see the word ‘Iqamatu ssalat’ which means to establish prayers, and He didn't just say pray. The question of what it means to establish prayers is relevant. It means we should reflect prayers in everything that we do,” he states.
He advocates that in order to apply the message of Isra wal Miraj in today’s world, we need to absorb a few elements in prayers, the first of which is to thank Allah for everything He has blessed us with.
The second point is that Allah ordained in the holy Quran that prayers deter you from doing evil things and help you reach an elevated position. The third advantage is that Allah can fulfill all your needs and you can achieve the Ashura position.
“Finally, if you face hardships and your patience is being tested, Allah says, hold on and be patient... certainly, for all your hardships, I will compensate you. This is how we need to replicate the messages of the great day in our lives and find peace of mind,” adds Hatim al Abdissalam.
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