The Isra – The Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was taken from Kaaba in Mecca to Masjidil Aqsa in Jerusalem accompanied by the archangel Jibrail. Along the way, Jibrail asked the Prophet s.a.w to perform ablution and 2 rakaat solat at significant and historical spots such as:

- Madinah, where Prophet s.a.w would perform the hijrah to.
- Mount Sinai, where Prophet Moses received his commandments
- Baitul Laham, where Prophet Jesus was born.

The Prophet s.a.w dismount the buraq upon reaching Masjidil Aqsa. In the mosque, he lead the prayers to a congregation of previous prophets.

Jibrail then brought to 2 containers, one filled with wine and the other filled with milk. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w chose the milk and was told by Jibrail that if he were to choose the wine, a lot of his followers would be

The Mi’raj – The Ascension to the Heavens

The Prophet s.a.w and Jibrail ascended up to the heavens on a stairs.

On the first level of heaven, they met with Prophet Adam a.s. and saw the punishments on people who takes interests, people who misuse the money of orphans and adulterers.

On the second level of heaven, they met with Prophet Jesus a.s. and Prophet Yahya a.s.

On the third level of heaven, they met with Prophet Yusuf a.s.

On the fourth level of heaven, they met with Prophet Idris a.s.

On the fifth level of heaven, they met with Prophet Harun a.s. and Israelites.

On the sixth level of heaven, they met with Prophet Moses a.s. and the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w witnessed his many followers including those who will enter heaven without being judged.

On the seventh level of heaven, they met with Prophet Abraham a.s. who was resting at Baitul Ma’mur. Prophet Abraham said to Muhammad s.a.w that he would be meeting with Allah s.w.t that night. Prophet Abraham then said that with every LA HAULA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH recited by Muhammad’s follower, a plant would be grown for them in heaven

On the eighth level of heaven, Prophet Muhammad witness the al-kursi and the many miracles of heaven.

On the tenth level of heaven, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w met with his Creator. He prostrated and was given the commandment to perform the daily prayers. Initially, it was commanded to perform the daily prayers for 50 times a day but after consulting Prophet Abraham and Moses, Muhammad asked for leniency and the daily prayers were reduced to 5 times a day.

The Prophet then descended from heaven to Jerusalem and rode the buraq to Mecca.

Significance of Isra Mi’raj

“Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless – in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who hears and sees (all things).” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:1)

The journey was to entertain the prophet after his year of sorrow and to show the miracles as signs from Allah the Creator. On the night journey, Allah s.w.t have made it clear the transfer of leadership from the Children of Israel to the Children of Ismail, and the Centrality of Jerusalem in the history of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w received the command to perform the 5 daily prayers on the night journey. The daily prayers which signify the ultimate unquestionable submission of oneself to Allah s.w.t.

While out for dinner last week with colleagues, we sat beside three 20-something women. There was the usual posing and glances exchange, and as they paid their bill two Muslim women entered and sat nearby. Whispers were quickly exchanged and we could hear, “Why do they wear those things anyway?” … “I feel sorry for them” … and so on.

As they filed out of the restaurant, we noticed they sported a mixed collection of the following: skin tight pants, short skirts, exposed midriffs, push-up bras, high heels, jewelry, see-through or plunging tops, piercings, lipstick and makeup, and one had breast implants for certain. We observed the two Muslim women as they were engaged in close conversation over coffee.

Their graceful features complimented their dark headscarves and warm eyes. Their natural gestures were flirty without even trying – revealing natural beauty. And their clothes, while conservative, brought forth the hidden potential of something wonderful and truly feminine.

The idea of dressing modestly terrifies some western women – but why? Perhaps it would trample their “right” to show off. Would their self-esteem fall along with their hemlines?

After some debates, we identified the cost of the western “right” to flaunt. The Muslim women were free from the fashion trap -free to “just be” without posing, comparing, dieting and spending for the approval of men and each other. And they looked more desirable to us than the exhibitionists who were in the restaurant and parading on the sidewalk.

The sexual displays in our culture are so mainstream and competitive that modesty is seen as regressive. Yet, long term, when a man looks past the right pants and heels, he will ultimately detect not confidence, but a certain unattractive desperation.

Modest women don’t have that desperation – they don’t compete in the arena of vanity. They have themselves – and that’s the kind of attraction with legs to last the long run. Remember that the next time you feel sorry for a Muslim woman.

“It is He Who has made you (His) vicegerents, inheritors of the earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He has given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Being vicegerent, we are entrusted to protect and sustain the resources on earth which includes living and non-living things.

There are a number of traditions that forbid the unjustified killings of animals. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “A woman who tied a cat will go to Hellfire; she neither fed it, nor allowed it to find food on its own.” And in another tradition, a prostitute’s sins are washed away because she gave drinking water to a thirsty dog.

It is clear that animals are to be treated well and can only be killed for food and that with a very sharp blade so as not to torture the animal further. A tradition states “For charity shown to each creature, there is a reward.”

In terms of saving water, the Prophet himself provided the model which should prove to be useful if followed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike; The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, performed ablution using one mudd [i.e. a measure equal to a handful of water].

The Quran itself have countless number of verses on the creations on earth which are all signs of the Greatness of Allah. If we khalifahs are not playing our part in protecting the environment then we must prepare to face the consequences.

The climate change report in an international global warming conference in Belgium 2007 reports:

The world’s average temperature have risen from 1990 levels. A further increase in the average temperature in the future would result in dire consequences.

+ 1 degree Celcius

Between 400 million and 1.7 billion extra people can’t get enough water, some infectious diseases and allergenic pollens rise, and some amphibians go extinct. But the world’s food supply, especially in northern areas, could increase. This would happen around 2020.

+ 2 degree Celcius

2 billion people could be without water and about 20 percent to 30 percent of the world’s species near extinction. Also, more people start dying because of malnutrition, disease, heat waves, floods and droughts—all caused by global warming. That would happen around 2050, depending on the level of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels.

All in all, the rising of temperature of earth would lead to
- rising sea levels
- water shortages
- loss of biodiversity
- receding glaciers
and all this would lead to the human population at risk.

More on Islamic jurisprudence of the the environment:
http://www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2002/08/Article02.shtml

Interactives on Global Warming:
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/environment/global-warming/gw-impacts-interactive.html

Ah, how simple, no struggle in this,
Just a word, and simple act.
Thereafter I’m absorbed in this world again
With my ‘assured’ place in Paradise intact.

But this was not to be my fate
For ALLAH chose to guide my heart.
I learnt of a man who struggled so hard
When his mission was from the start.

The story of someone who had morals,
Spoke gently, kindness he knew.
Never fearing to say what’s right,
His conviction in ISLAM was true.

The touch of his hand was as soft as silk
To comfort a crying child.
To mend his clothes, or do the chores,
Never complaining, he always smiled.

A living he made with his bare hands,
The same that held his mighty sword.
Valour shone from the edge of his blade,

His smell was always of musk,
And cleanliness he kept at his best.
Stark contrast with the heroes of today,
Who stink of beer and sweat.

He held the hands of his companions.
Unashamed to play with many children.
So modest, so humble, a perfect example,
That strangers could not recognise him.

His eyes slept little for nights were precious,
His prayers he treasured much greater.
To pray Tahajjud in the depths of night,
Seeking forgiveness, and nearness to his Creator.

He broke his tooth for me at Uhud,
And bled for me at Ta’if.
He cried for me, tears of concern,
Just so I could have this belief.

His enemies admired his teachings,
Uniting every religion, every clan.
Till ISLAM came to every corner of the world,
O, but indeed he was only a man.

To own a house, or build his wealth
Was not his main priority.
To establish ISLAM was more essential,
To bring us under a Higher Authority.

Don’t you want him to plea for your case,
When before ALLAH-The Judge-you stand?
Don’t you wish to be around his fountain,
A burning desire to drink from his hand?

So I love him more than all creation,
My Leader, my Humble Prophet.
Muhammad (SAWS) was a mercy to all mankind,
And to me, he is MY BELOVED !

Taken frm jannah.org

His corpus was Kitáb fí ma’rifat al-hiyal al-handasiyya or Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices in which he wrote 50 types of mechanical devices. Like his father, al-Jazari served the Diyarbakir branch of the Turkish Artuqid dynasty as chief engineer.

Among his inventions:

Crankshaft and connecting rod mechanism
This mechanism transforms continuous rotary motion into a linear reciprocating motion. al-Jazari was the first to incorporate the mechanism into a machine. This mechanism is central to the operation of modern machinery such as the steam engine and the internal combustion engine.

Water-raising machines
From his crankshaft and connectiong rod mechanism, al-Jazari developed his crank-driven saqiya chain pump and the double-action reciprocating piston suction pump, both for the transportation of water without manual labour.

A water raising device

Automata
Automate according to the Britannica Encyclopedia are any of various mechanical objects that are relatively self-operating after they have been set in motion. al-Jazari was known to have invented automatic moving peacocks and gates driven by hydropower.
He also invented a fountain automata that flow into alternate tanks in an intervals and a musical automata with 4 automatic musicians on a boat to entertain guests at royal parties.

Musical automata

” While many of al-Jazari’s inventions may now appear to be trivial, the most significant aspect of al-Jazari’s machines are the mechanisms, components, ideas, methods and design features which they employ ” Donald Routledge Hill, Mechanical Engineering in the Medieval Near East.

See animations of Al-Jazari’s mechanical devices:
Al-Jazari, 800 years after http://muslimheritage.com/topics/default.cfm?ArticleID=851

We do like to have Him around during sickness…
And, of course, at funerals.
However, we don’t have time, or room, for Him during work or play…
Because.. That’s the part of our lives we think… We can, and should, handle on our own.

Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is…
Exactly, what has caused lot of the problems in our world today.

May ALLAH forgive me for ever thinking…
That… there is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.

Received via email.

1. Start off each day with ‘adhkaar al-istiyqaadh’ (waking up Supplications), thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2. Put Allah first in your life.

3. Broaden your horizons – learn 5 new verses from the Quran every day, travel to pray far in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having supplications and read them.

4. Pray Salaat Al-dhuhaa (after sunrise).

5. If someone says something mean; to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive them.

6. When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being Angry.

7. Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).

8. When you’re happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray its continuation.

9. When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it’s not worse than it is.

10. Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan’s head.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah’s love and thus work For it. Then you can win the love of Allah’s slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking of Allah’s amazing creation.

13. Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).

14. Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!).

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and watch that He is watching you.

16. Pray for blessing to come to those being lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Hug your parents, kiss their hands and heads and always obey but stop at Allah’s orders.

18. Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.

19. Forgive, forget and smile.

20. Tears are not for women only… tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don’t restrain your tears when remembering Allah.

21. When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or no. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Prophet (SAAW) and the Sahaba were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.

22. Read the Quran daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Quran daily, read with observing not just passing your eyes through the words.

23. Don’t let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than gain.

24. Never look down on anybody, for, to Allah, they may be better than you.

Ponder, reflect and start trying to dissimilate all of these into our life ok? insyaAllah and ameen =)

Received via email

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…
but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her…
but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids committing the same in the future…
but a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be God’s blessings and capitalizes on them

A strong woman walks sure footedly…
but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face…
but a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

Ibn Sina, known in Latin as Avicenna, was born Abu Ali al-Husin ibn Abdullah in the year 370H in Bukhara. He was given him the honorary title “Shaikhal-Rai’s” (Leader among Wise Men) by his compatriots and was the one of the most influential philosopher-scientist of Islam.
His corpus were 450 in number and the most outstanding were The Book of Healing and Qanun fi al-Tibb (Canon of Medicine). The Canon was made the standard medical text in many Islamic as well as European universities up until the 19th century.

Contributions:
The Canon of Medicine
The book is known for its introduction of systematic experimentation and quantification into the study of physiology,the discovery of contagious diseases and sexually transmitted diseases,the introduction of quarantine to limit the spread of infectious diseases, the introduction of experimental medicine, clinical trials, neuropsychiatry, risk factor analysis, and the idea of a syndrome in the diagnosis of specific diseases and hypothesized the existence of microrganisms.
It classifies and describes diseases,
with experimental medicine, evidence-based medicine, randomized controlled trials and efficacy tests and it laid out the following rules and principles for testing the effectiveness of new drugs and medications, which still form the basis of clinical pharmacology and modern clinical trials.

Chemistry

In chemistry, steam distillation was described by Ibn Sīnā. The technique was used to produce alcohol and essential oils.

As other muslim scholars, Ibn Sina studied other branches of science he was also an astronomer, Hafiz, logician, mathematician, poet, psychologist, physicist.

He refused to live life slow, stating that: “I prefer a short life with width to a narrow one with length”. On his deathbed remorse seized him; he bestowed his goods on the poor, restored unjust gains, freed his slaves, and every third day till his death listened to the reading of the Qur’an. He died in June 1037, in his fifty-eighth year, and was buried in Hamedan, Iran.

For more on Ibn Sina’s biography, corpus and works on him:
http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/sina/

2. Also in Surah Ali Imran verse 139, which means: “And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers.”

3. HG Wells in his book, A Short History of the World, 1922 described: Islam, this faith he imposed upon the Arabs, much power and inspiration. One is its uncompromising monotheism; its simple enthusiastic faith in the rule and fatherhood of God and its freedom from theological complications.
Another is its complete detachment from the sacrificial priest and the temple. It is an entirely prophetic religion, proof against any possibility of relapse towards blood sacrifices. In the Koran the limited and ceremonial nature of the pilgrimage to Mecca is stated beyond the possibility of dispute, and every precaution was taken by Muhammad to prevent the deification of himself after his death.
And a third element of strength lay in the insistence of Islam upon the perfect brotherhood and equality before God of all believers, whatever their colour, origin or status.
These are the things that made Islam a power in human affairs.

4. Once upon a time when Europe faces their Dark Ages, Muslims were building cities from India to Spain. The streets were lit and cobbled. Muslims bathed in perfume oils and made clothes out of silk and luxurious fabrics.

5. “As a religion the Mohammedan religion, it must be confessed, is more suited to Africa than is the Christian religion; indeed, I would even say that it is suited to the world as a whole.” From The Sphere, by Lancelot Lawton (London, 1928)