اَلفَصْل السّا بع فى ذِكْرِ مِعْرَاجِ النَّبِىّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلمَّ Chapter Seven REARDING THE MENTION OF ASCENSION (ISRA or MI’RAAJ) OF PROPHET صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلمّ Introduction: This Chapter contains 13 stanzas. It gives a description, in brief, about the events of the Night of Journey (ISRA or مِعْرَاج ِ) when Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم traveled from Makkah Sanctuary to the city of Jerusalem. From there, he ascended to the loftiest heights for a rendez-vous with his Lord at His invitation. The meeting was so intimate that, according to the Quran, there was only a distance of two ends of a bow between the Host and the guest. In Jerusalem, Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم led the prayers of a congregation which was, inter alia, attended by all the messengers and Prophets hitherto sent down by Allah Almighty on earth. During this blessed journey, Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم accomplished many a high stages and witnessed indescribable things and events. يَا خَيرَ مَنْ يَمَّمَ العَافُونَ سَاحَتَهُ سَعْيًا وَفَوقَ مُتُونُ الأينُقِ الرُّسُمِ 107. Blessed one! supplicants heading to your pavilion Rushing or on camel-backs, their foot prints on plain Glossary; 1) Yamam يَمَّمَ : head for, be bound for 2) Aaf عَاف : supplicants, seekers 3) Saha ساحَة : pavilion, courtyard 4) Matan مَتَن ; back 5) Aenuq اينُق : plural of ناقة , means camel 6) Rusum رُسُم : plural of رسوم means footprints (أينُقِ الرُّسُمِ a camel which makes pressing imprints of foot on ground while running- a fast running camel) Explanatory Notes: O the Blessed person of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم to whose quarters, the supplicants and begging lovers rush, walking on foot or riding on the backs of fast-running camels who leave behind their foot prints in the sand. عفو و عطا و لطف و عنايت هى ان كى ذات ابر كرم كهون انهين مهر صفا كهون وَمَن هُوَالآيةُالكُبراى لِمُعْتَبِرٍ وَمَن هُوَالنِّعْمَةُالعُظْمَى لِمُغْتَنَمِ 108. He is, for a thoughtful one, the great sign For appreciating one, a great benefaction Glossary: 1) Mu’tabir مُعْتَبِرٍ : one who ponders deep, in-depth thinker 2) Mughtanimمُغْتَنَمِ : One who appreciates the value, who avails from a person or a situation Explanatory Notes: His (Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم’s) is the personality which is a great sign from the Lord for anyone who mulls deep and comprehends (the truth). His (Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم’s) is the personality which is a great blessing for the one who really understands his (Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم’s) true esteem. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم is the source of all types of blessings; namely نعمت نفس (requiring obedience and doing favour to indulge inner-self نفس , ii) قلب نعمت (requiring faith and belief in which indulges heart), iii) نعمت روح (requiring hope and fear for indulgence of soul), iv) نعمت عقل (requiring wisdom and expression in which logic dwells), v) نعمت معرفت (requiring Quran and remembrance of Lord), vi) نعمت حب is the inclination and attraction, escape from separation. It is said that angels used to argue about four issues for a thousand years until on the night of Mi’raaj (Ascension), Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم solved their problem after getting divine guidance on these matters. When they asked; what are كفارات (acts bringing forgiveness of sins from the Lord), Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم responded; “ Perform ablution in the hour of distress, walk upto the mosque to offer congregational prayer, and stay attentive for the following prayer in congregation.” As regards what makes lofty grades or درجات , Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم responded: “To feed hungry in the name of Allah, propagate salutation or Salaam and offer mid-night prayers when others are in sleep.” About the question of منجيات (things that ward off punishment of hell), Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم said: “fearing God in open and in solitude, intending Fuqr فقر or showing disinterest in worldly material things, striving for justice and submitting oneself to the will of God.” The last question which was asked by Izra’el عليه السلام after his three predecessors namely; Israfeel, Michael and Gabriel عليه السلام rhad asked their afore-mentioned questions, was regarding مهلكات (acts or things that bring annihilation or fall of a man), Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم said: “arrogance, pride, greed, selfishness, haughtiness and giving oneself ears.” سَرَيتَ مِن حَرَمٍ لَيلاً إلى حَرَمٍ كَمَا سَرَى البَدْرُ فِى دَاجٍ مِنَ الظُّلَمِ 109. You traveled in night from Makkah to Palestine As travels full moon in clouds, in murky vision Glossary: 1) Saraita سَرَيتَ : you traveled, you did a journey 2) Haramin Ila Harm حَرَمٍ إلى حَرَمٍ : from one Sanctuary (Ka’aba Mosque in Makkah) to another Sanctuary (in Jerusalem- بيت المقدّس) 3) Daj دَاجٍ : cloudy, murky, dusky Explanatory Notes: You journeyed from one Holy Sanctuary (of Makkah) to another Sanctuary (in Jerusalem) overnight. Your movement was like the travel of full moon in the skies in a dark night with a murky vision. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: According to scholars, Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم had the experience of high Ascension at least 34 times. Out of this, the one carried on the night of Mi’raaj معراج(ISRA or Ascension) was physical, with body and soul together, rest of these being the visions that he had had prior to the Commissioning of Prophethood. On that particular night, he traveled on a white mule-size animal called Buraq براق whose reins were tied by the Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم outside the Aqsa Mosque مسجدالأقصى in Jerusalem. He met the souls of all the earlier Prophets whom he led in congregational prayers. He also chose a cup of milk instead of wine when a choice from the two (or three) drinks was presented to him by angel Gabriel. This, according to arch-angel Gabriel عليه السلام indicates that Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم chose the religion of nature فطرت . In those days, the distance from Makkah to Jerusalem used to be covered in 40 days. وَبِتَّ تَرقَى إلى أنْ نِلْتَ مَنْزِلَةً مِنْ قَابَ قَوسَينِ لَم تُدْرَك وَلَمْ تَرُمِ 110. Passing night in ascent until reached destination Close as bow-ends, unimaginable or in intention Glossary: 1) Bitta بِتَّ : from بات to pass night 2) Raqa رقَى : raise, advance, elevate, uplift 3) Nilta نِلْتَ : from نال to reach, attain 4) Qaba Qosain قَابَ قَوسَينِ : actually قوسقابين two ends of the bow. This term is used to indicate very close physical proximity (between the Lord and His beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم). 5) Lam Tarum لَمْ تَرُمِ : never was intended or thought of, unimaginable Explanatory Notes: His Ascension night passed, in crossing the stages upward (to meet the Lord) until he reached his destination where he was so close to his Master that one could never comprehend or even dream of that state. ميان عاشق ومعشوق رمزيست كرامًا كاتبين را هم خبر نيست وَ قَدَّمَتْكَ جَمِيعُ الأنبِيَآءِ بِهَا وِالرُّسْلِ تَقْدِيمَ مَخْدُومٍ عَلَى خِدَم 111. All the prophets- jointly placed you in the van Ye being their master, messengers in y’r train Glossary: 1) Qaddamtuka قَدَّمَتْكَ : they placed you in lead, in advance, at the head 2) Taqdeem تَقْدِِيمَ : bring forward, present, introduce Explanatory Notes: On the night of Ascension ( (معراج, all the prophets who had preceded Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم in their Commissioning of Prophethood on earth, brought him to the fore (in the van) to lead them in the congregational prayers (in the Al-Aqsa Mosque of Jerusalem). All the messengers were treating him like the Master is treated by his retinue who themselves stand in one’s following (in someone’s train). تها يهى سر عيان هون معنى اول وآخر اقصى مين نماز كہ دست بستہ هين پيچهے حاضر جو سلطنت آگے كرگۓ تهے وَآنتَ تَخْتَرِق ُالسَّبْعَ الطِّبَاقَ بِهِم فِى مَوكِبٍ كُنتَ فِيهِ صَاحِبَ العَلَمِ 112. You passed by prophets across seven heaven You as a standard-bearer in angels’ procession Glossary: 1) Takhtariq تَخْتَرِق : from إختراق means to penetrate, permeate, pass through 2) Mokib مَوكِبٍ : procession (of angels) on the heavenward Ascent Explanatory Notes: You traversed through seven skies, meeting on way with the earlier prophets, in a procession joined by heavenly angels, that you bore the standard and led them. حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ تَدَعْ شَاوًا لِمُسْتَبِقٍ مِنَ ِالدُّنُوّ وَلا مَرْقًا لِمُسْتَنِمِ 113. Until you left no limit for anyone in competition In proximity or for aspirants in high-rise motion Glossary: 1) Lam Tada لَمْ تَدَعْ : You left not 2) Shawan شَاوًا : end, goal, objective, aim, limit 3) Mustabiq مُسْتَبِقٍ : competitor, who gets ahead 4) Dunu’wwi دُّنُوِّّ : proximity, close intimacy, very nearness 5) Marqa مَرْقًا : proceed ahead, pass through 6) Mustanim مُسْتَنِم : from إستنام or نامٍ to rise, seek growth or height Explanatory Notes: You were so ahead from others that you left no end or limit for any other rival or competitor in your march upwards to be in proximity with the Lord. Nor was there any place of advancement left for any other top-seeking aspirant. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: The fact is that of all the creatures, their knowledge ends at the seventh heaven. It is the singular honour of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم that his accession and information about things high up was well beyond that limit. خَفَضتَ كُلَّ مَقَامِ بِالإضَافَةِ إذْ نُودِيتَ بِالرَّفْعِ مِثْلَ َالمُفْرَدِالعَلَمِ 114. You made lowly all high-ranking stations when You were invited to high with unique distinction Glossary: 1) Khafadta خَفَضتَ : you put to shame, brought to low 2) Bil-Idafat بِالإضَافَةِ : with respect to (refers to attributes of Prophet SAW) 3) Noodeeta نُودِيتَ : you were called, invited 4) Mufrad مُفْرَد : unique, exceptional 5) Alamعَلَمِ : distinguished personality, eminent figure Explanatory Notes: (With your virtues and attributes) You reduced to low level any other stage or grades of excellence or height when you were exclusively invited to the loftiest station as a unique and distinguished guest- a singular and unprecedented honour ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: On the night of Ascension, Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم was invited with these words; إلى مقام هو أعلى صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلم إرتفع من مقامٍّ يا محمّد كَيمَا تَفُوزَ بِوَصْلٍ أَيَّ مُسْتَتِرٍ عَنِ العُيُونِ وَ سِرٍّ أيَّ مُكْتَتَمِ 115. So that you win a union that should be hidden From eyes and in secret, to stay in occultation Glossary: 1) Kay كَي : so that Tafooz تَفُوزَ : you be successful, you win over, you attain 2) Ayyi أَيَّ : what a (secret union)! Explanatory Notes: The call (invitation) from the Lord was to stage for you a union away from the human or heavenly looks and to share the (divine) secrets. ميان عاشق و معشوق رمزيست – كرمًا كاتبين را هم خبر نيست فَحُزْتَ كُــلَّ فَخَارٍ غَيْرَ مُشْـتَرَكٍ وَجُزْتَ كُــلَّ مَقَــامٍ غَيْرَ مُزْدَحَمِ 116. You accumulated, unshared, every distinction You advanced all posts bypassing obstruction Glossary: 1) Huzta حُزْتَ : you accumulated (to jag, incise, notch from حَزَّ ) 2) Juzta جُزْتَ : you moved ahead, advanced, progressed 3) Muzdahim مُزْدَحَمِ : hindrance, resistance, congestion, impediment Explanatory Notes: You carved out for yourself every thing worth pride for yourself, being unique in their possession at the highest degree. Your movement upwards to highest posts in the heavens was unhindered and very smooth. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: Scholars refer to the exclusive distinctions of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم which were not attained by any of other Prophets such as being the Seal of the Prophets, permission from the Lord for intercession for his Ummah on the Day of Judgment, attaining the praised station (مقام محمود), stream of كوثر , direct vision of the Lord, highest grades (درجةالرفيع) etc. قوسين عروج اور نزول اتنى هو نزديك – سمجهى نہ كوءى ان كى سوا سر سخن آج وَجَـلَّ مِقْـدَارُ مَـا وُلِّيْتَ مِنْ رُّتَبٍ وَعَزَّ إِدْرَاكُ مَــا أُوْلِيْتَ مِنْ نِّعَــمِ 117. Ranks conferred on you are high in estimation Blessings for you are beyond comprehension Glossary; 1) Jalla جَـلَّ : rose, expanded, became high 2) Miqdar مِقْـدَارُ : quantity, magnitude, amount, volume 3) Wulleeta وُلِّيْتَ : you were made custodian, conferred on you 4) Azza عَزَّ : it was difficult, rare, scarce 5) Ooleeta أُوْلِيْتَ :granted to you, bestowed upon you Explanatory Notes: The high ranks that have been bestowed upon you are great in number so much that the blessing and (exclusive) favours of Allah Almighty for you can never be comprehended fully. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: Besides the favours mentioned in the previous verse (see spiritual context above), Allah Almighty has destined His beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم to be the first to enter the paradise on the Day of Judgment. His Ummah will precede other Ummahs in advancing to such a lofty abode. It was for him that the entire universe and the two worlds (including hereafter) were created by the Lord. For his assistance, Allah sent down invisible troops to aid him against enemies. As regards favours for his Ummah, Allama Ismail Haqqi Andalusi رحمةالله عليه in his Tafseer Roohul Bayan says; “they are not given infinite wealth so as to avoid lengthy accounting on the Day of Judgment. Their life span is not prolonged so that their hearts do not become stony-hard. They will not be caught by sudden death so that their exit from this world is not without repentance. They were sent last in this world so that they do not have to stay in graves for long like other nations.” بُشْـرٰى لَنَا مَعْشَـرَ الإِسْـلامِ إِنَّ لَنَا مِنَ الْعِنَايَـةِ رُكْنــاً غَيْرَ مُنْهَــدِمِ 118. Glad news to us- Muslim group, we did gain A protection pillar, never to go in demolition Glossary: 1) Inaayat عِنَايَـةِ : protection, care 2) Rukn ركن : shore, support, pillar 3) Munhadim مُنْهَــدِمِ : demolition, razing, ruin Explanatory Notes: O the party of Muslims! glad tidings for us all that we have got a protection and care in the person of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم who is such a solid pillar of support which is unshakeable ever. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: This Ummah was bestowed with special favours such as; i) spoils of war permitted ii) entire earth grounds made permissible for prayer, iii) ablution can be substituted by Tayammum (touch-dust procedure), iv) ablution prescribed for the Ummah, v) prayers prescribed to get union with the Lord, vi) Adhan or call to prayer instituted, vii) بسم الله was introduced, viii) ritual prayers to be offered in line, standing like angel formation, Friday bestowed with a moment of prayer acceptance, ix) Ramadan or fasting benefits, x) forgiveness in Ramadan on vast scale and special سحر meal, xi) Night of Power ليلةالفدر awarded, xii) no hardship placed, mistake or involuntary blunder made unaccountable, xiii) Islamic Shari’ah made a complete code, less acts rewarded with greater reward compared to earlier Ummahs, xiv) one killed in plague is a martyr, xv) Ummah will continue to be guided by Qutb, Otaad, Najbad, Abdaal and Ghous, xvi) they will stay less in graves being the last Ummah but will come out first on the Day of Resurrection, xvii) many a sinner sections of Ummah will be interceded by Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم and other friends of Allah for entry into paradise and this Ummah will enter first into paradise, and xviii) the Shari’ah of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم will last forever. لمَّـا دَعَى الله دَاعِيْنـَـا لِطَــاعَتِهِ بِـأَكْرَمِ الرُّسْلِ كُنَّـا أَكْـرَمَ الأُمَـمِ 119. Allah gave him Call, he invited us for His devotion High-honour Prophet, we a high-honoured nation Glossary: 1) Da’ee دَاعِي : one who invites for religious path, caller to good deeds 2) Akramar Rusul أَكْرَمِ الرُّسْلِ : most honoured amongst all prophets Explanatory Notes: Since Allah Himself titled our Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم as the most honoured amongst the Prophets whom he sent to invite us for His submission and obedience, we also take pride to be the best amongst entire nations that passed before us. ________________________________________________ Spiritual Context: Since Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله وسلّم himself merits to be called أشرف الرسل (highly esteemed), أعظم الرسل (greatest), and أفضل الرسل (the best) amongst the Prophets, his Ummah has also been bestowed the titles of لامم اأكرم (most honoured among the nations), امم أشرف ال (esteemed among the nations), and خيرالأمم (best among the nations). Quran says; كنتم خير أمَّةٍ أُخرِجَت للنَّاسِ (Translation: You are the best nation taken amongst the mankind). The superiority of this Ummah against other nations is also evident in other divine Scriptures. Quran has given this special and exclusive pride to the present Ummah; لِتَكُونُو شُهَدآءَ عَلَىالنَّاسِ (Translation: You shall be witness over the mankind on the Day of Resurrection). پون بشاش نگاه موسى كرد – شدن از امتش تمنا كرد
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 21:26:05 +0000
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