Shab-e-Meraj : Meanings and History
Isra and Mi’raj is a time of joy and celebration in which the faithful express their happiness and celebrate the birth of the son of God.
Muslims celebrate this event in which God took Prophet Mohammad (Mohamed, Muhammed) on a journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, and then to heaven.
Shab e-Meraj is an optional holiday in Pakistan. Employees may choose from a list of optional holidays and take them during the working week.
A day of observance is not as necessary as a day of rest. Most offices and businesses are open, but some might choose to take the day off.
Tentative date of Shab-e-Miraj in 2023 will 18 Feb and in 2024, it will be on 07 Feb when it may be observed as a holiday.
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What is the Meaning of Shab-e-Meraj?
Shab-e-Meraj (شبّع مراج) means “breaking the fast”. The Prophet Muhammad said that this phrase was revealed to him by Allah.
It is a day on which Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations. This day of fasting begins after sunset and lasts until dawn. Fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are physically able.
In addition, it is recommended to abstain from food, drink, and sex on the first 10 days of Ramadan. During these 10 days, the believers will be rewarded with rewards for their good deeds.
Muslims believe that Allah sent the Quran to the Prophet Mohammad in order to remind them of the purpose of life. As a result, they also follow the teachings of the prophet.
When we say “Allah is Great”, it means that the creator of the universe has created everything and that he controls every aspect of our lives.
What is Shab-e-Miraj?
Shab-e-Miraj is an Islamic religious holiday that occurs every year on the first night of Hijri month. It’s a remarkable thing to see the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions take this long journey. It’s amazing that they travelled on foot for months just to visit a single town.
The most important thing to do on the Al-Isra Wal-Miraj (EID) holiday is to spend it remembering those who have been blessed with the best rewards, such as our Prophet (peace be upon him), and the family of Musa (as).
On the Night of Miraj, when Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven, it was Jibra’il who took his place as the messenger to mankind. While ascending to the heavens, the Buddha met eight prophets.
Each prophet greeted his prophet with the words: “Welcome, O’ Pious Prophet and O’ Pious Brother!” When he finally reached the highest level in the heavens, he was brought into the divine presence of Allah, alone at Sidratul Muntaha (a boundary beyond which no one may pass). Here Allah gave this Ummah the gift of Salah.
What is History and Importance of Shab-e-Meraj?
Shab-e-Meraj (or the Night of Power) is a special night in the Islamic calendar. On this night, Muslims believe that God will appear to them in their dreams.
Shab-e-Meraj or “the Night of Ascension” marks the ascension of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Masjid Al-Haram to Masjid Al-Haram Al-Sharif accompanied by the archangel Gabriel.
On the Ascension, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was escorted by Gabriel to many places of significance to the Muslims, including Medina, Mount Sinai, the Cave of Hira, and the gravesite of Moses.
He told them that they would be granted rewards for believing in him, worshiping him and following his guidance. He told them that he is the one and only God who will reward us for our deeds.
As Prophet Muhammad SAW was given the command for five daily prayers, that means this day is so important to Muslims that they need to make sure they practice the five daily prayers with great dedication and devotion.
As Muslim children, we are taught about the significance of Makkah and Madina, and we have a sense of clos, But the holiness of Masjid al-Aqsa does not always get a significant mention.
Why do We Celebrate Shab-e-Meraj?
The Muslim tradition marks Shab-e-Meraj (or Id al-Fitr) as one of the most important occasions in Islamic history.
It is because the date was established as a national holiday for Muslims, that is why it is considered a holy day for them.
Every Muslim community celebrates different traditions and customs in a unique way.
Every year Pakistanis commemorate this important religious holiday with a variety of events, such as a speech competition among the school students.
This is the contest where the one who tells the story the best wins the trophy. If you are the one who could retell the story, then you could be the winner.
During the summer, Muslim families would decorate their homes with candles and twinkling lights to light up their homes and neighborhoods.
They’d also serve various delectable meals and sweets to their families as they celebrate it.
Some people would be up all night listening to a lecture about the story of Shab-e-Meraj at the mosque.
Elders in the community sometimes share stories of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with the children after they recite the night prayers.
Prophet's Ascension to Heavens on Shab-e-Meraj
In Isra and Miraj, Jibrael was given the gift of prophecy and the ability to take someone else to the heavens. Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stopped by the seven layers of heaven.
- He met Prophet Adam, Prophet Isa and Prophet Yahya on the first heaven.
- He met Prophet Yusuf, Prophet Joseph and Prophet Enoch on the second heaven.
- He met Prophet Musa, Prophet Moses and Prophet Aaron on the third heaven.
- He met Prophet Haroon, Prophet Adam and Prophet Idris on the fourth heaven.
- He met Prophet Haroon, Prophet Haroon and Prophet Musa on the fifth heaven.
- He met Prophet Musa, Prophet Abraham and Prophet Musa on the sixth heaven.
- He met with Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) on the seventh Heaven.
What is the Concept of Shab-e-Meraj in Islam?
Shab-e-Meraj (SEM) means “the day of the great reward” in English. This phrase is used to describe the Day of Judgment, when all human beings will be rewarded or punished for their deeds.
This term was first mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his final sermon. He said that he would meet Allah on the day of judgment and ask him to judge between good and evil. The prophet also asked Muslims to believe in this day and to strive to attain the highest level of goodness before it comes.
Bait Al-Mamur and Sidrat Al-Muntaha in Shab-e-Meraj
After being shown Al-Bait Al-Mamur, Prophet (S.A.W.) then was shown Al-Bayyinah.
Jibrael told Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that this is Al Bait- Al-Mamur, and whoever visits it, never can again visit this blessed place. The Prophet was carried to a very large Lote tree.
Sidrat Al-Muntaha is the boundary that no creation of Allah can pass.
This tree is a boundary for Jibrael. However, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) is the only being who is allowed by Allah to pass this boundary.
People who follow the teachings of the Quran are taught to be kind to each other, to help others, and to do many kinds acts that benefit humanity. In return, they expect that these actions will earn them a place in paradise when the time of judgment comes.
Muslims believe that there is no God but Allah, the creator of everything. He created humans to worship Him, and commanded them to obey His laws. If people disobey Allah’s commands, then they will suffer punishment on the Day of Judgment.
Ordination of Five Daily Prayers in Shab-e-Meraj
When Allah the Almighty sent Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His final Prophet he instructed him to pray 50 daily prayers.
When Prophet (S.A.W.) received this order from Allah, he returned and on his way back but Prophet Musa (A.S.) advised him to ask Allah to reduce the number because the Muslim Ummah would not be able to perform such a large number of prayers.
Prophet (S.A.W.) kept reciting his prayers but the number of them was not lessened. After a time it was only five and Almighty Allah promised his beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) that the reward of these five prayers would be equal to fifty prayers.
Gifts of Isra and Miraj : Shab-e-Meraj
- The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was given three things by Allah when he left this world: the Book of Allah which he brought to us. (Sahih Bukhari)
- A promise that the sins of Muslims would be forgiven except for those who died associating partners with Allah. (Sahih Muslim)
- A final sermon by the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.).
Prophet (S.A.W) was shown "Jannah" and "Jahannum" during Shab-e-Meraj
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was taken to paradise and hell. In this book, we learn about how the Prophet (S.A.W.) went to heaven, hell, and back to heaven again.
This vision by Prophet (S.A.W.) is an extremely important message for all those who will be in paradise and also for those who will be in hell.
Prophet (S.A.W.) came back to Makkah after Shab-e-Meraj
After completing his journey, Prophet (S.A.W.) mounted Al-Buraq and returned to Makkah. The Shab-e-Miraj took place during one night.
Next day, Prophet (S.A.W.) went to Masjid Al-Haram and told people about his journey.
Some people found this situation to be a humiliating affair.
They wanted to know about the description of Masjid Al-Aqsa but they were surprised that Prophet (S.A.W.) hadn’t even heard about it.
Some unbelievers mocked at the Prophet’s (S.A.W.) answer and exact description of the Mosque.
When we heard about the truth, we said to ourselves that this could be nothing other than what is written by God in His Book. But, we asked for more proofs.
A group of disbelievers told Abu Bakr about a difficult problem that the Prophet (S.A.W.) had mentioned, and they told him,?If the Prophet (S.A.W.) said that, then it is true,’ because of his belief in the truth. Thus, the prophet gave Abu Bakr the title of ‘The Truthful’.
What Is the Concept of Shab-e-Meraj in Other Than Islam?
Shab-e-Meraj (Arabic: شاب مرج) literally means “the young man’s prayer”. This is an Arabic phrase used to describe a ritual performed by men on the day of their wedding. The ceremony includes prayers, blessings and feasting.
It was originally practiced among the Arabs and continues today in parts of Africa and Asia. In some places, the groom would be given a gift of money before he began his journey home from the bride’s house.
This tradition is not unique to Muslims; it also exists among Christians and Jews. However, the Muslim version is considered to have been influenced more strongly by the teachings of the Qur’an.
In fact, the Qur’anic verse 2.228 states that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married Zaynab bint Jahsh, the daughter of the pagan king of Makkah, when she was six years old. He then consummated his marriage with her at age thirteen.
Conclusion
One of the most important events in the lives of Muslims across the world is the festival of Shab-e-Meraj.
During Shab-e-Meraj, The best miracle of all times is that Allah has chosen to bestow the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) as its messenger, and only him. Though this journey of a prophet is religiously significant to Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) never celebrated it and never instructed his people to celebrate it.
We may celebrate this great event by offering our prayers and doing good deeds. We should also ask Allah to help the needy and we should continue to do good deeds.
