What does Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi‘raaj mean?

Q: What does Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi‘raaj mean?

A: As for Al-Israa’, it is the journey in which the Prophet (pbuh) was taken from the Masjid (Mosque) of Makkah to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem in one part of the night. This miracle was proved by the textual evidences of the Noble Quran.

 As for Al-Mi‘raaj, it is the ascension of the Messenger of Allah at the same night from Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa to the Heavens and his meeting with the higher group as a kind of honoring them and pleasing him. This was also proved by the textual evidences of authentic Hadiths. It is possible to happen. The most truthful have told about it and thus it was to be taken as it is and there is no wonder in that for that is done by the one who enabled birds to fly in the space and made star travel for a long journey in just few seconds while people travels the same journey in about hundred years. So,  raising His beloved whom He The Exalted chosen from among all creation to the heaven in an hour is an easy matter for the One Who is over all things competent andwith all things is All-Knower and fully Acquainted.

                                                                  

 

 

Q: Will Du‘aa’ (Supplications) benefit the supplicant and the one for whom supplicates is done? Will the reward of the Sadaqah (charity) from the living reach the deceased if it is given on his behalf?

A: Charity, supplicating and invoking Allah The Almighty are recommended acts and required in Islam. Both of them, with Allah The Almighty, are beneficial to the living and the dead as well. 

 

Q: Who is Al-Mujtahid? Who are Al-Mujtahidoon whom should be followed?

 A: Al-Mujtahid is the one who has knowledge of most of the rulings of Shari‘ah and its textual evidences and work on them until he becomes able to realize the its aims. There are many Mujtahidoon. As for those whom all people agreed to follow, they are four; Imam Abu Hanifah ibn Thaabit, Imam Malik ibn Anas, Imam Muhammad ibn Idrees Ash-Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon them. Scholars have chosen to follow those four Imams and no one else of those who practice Ijtihaad. That is because they (such four Imams) have derived and deducted so many questions and that they have dedicated themselves to that to the extent that the questions that they have not mentioned their rulings are very rare. Also because their Mathhab [school of thought] was transmitted to us by an authentic chain of narrators. So, one should follow one of them except if there is necessity, otherwise, this may lead to fabrication and may lead one astray.

 

Q: Why did Mujtahidoon disagree in some issues?

A: Mujtahidoon did not disagree regarding the fundamentals and main principles of the religion at all, simply, because they (such fundamentals) are proved by the decisive clear-cut evidences. However, they differed only in some secondary issues for there are no decisive clear-cut evidences for them and that the secondary issues are so many and disagreement in them is possible. Every one of them strived to his utmost and made a great effort to derive their rulings from the Book and Sunnah. According to what they have reached, whoever amongst them strived to his utmost and studied the issue at hand well and reached the right conclusion, he will receive two rewards, and whoever reached the wrong conclusion, he will receive one reward for his keenness on reaching the right conclusion. The differences of opinion among the Imams bring about mercy, for their differences are regarding secondary issues. This difference brings about easiness for people so that they may not fall in the circle of blame or difficulty. So, if there is necessity, then one can adopt what is easy for him, otherwise, he shall adopt what is the most preponderant and correct opinion and what can make him on the safe side.

 

Q: What are the portents of the Hour?

A: The portents of the Hour include: Ad-Dajjaal (Anti-Christ); he is one-eyed. He will appear in a time of weakness of religion and neglecting knowledge. He will claim divinity. Some strange matters will appear on his hand. Those who have weak faith and conviction will follow him. Amongst the other portents of the Hour will be the emergence of a beast from the earth. It will mark people in their faces. So, whoever is a true believer, it will make for him a mark to be known that he is a believer. Whoever is disbeliever, it will make for him a mark to be known that he is a disbeliever. It will speak to people about their matters. Amongst the other portents is the rising of the sun from the west in one day and at that time, the door of repentance will be close and it will not be accepted from anyone. Furthermore, amongst the other portents is the emergence of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (Gog and Magog). They are a generation of people who did great mischief and corruption in the earth during the past times. When Dhul-Qarnayn arrived to their land, their neighbors complained to him from them. So, he sympathized with them. He saw that there were two mountains which were next to one another with a strait in between. So he built a very high barrier of iron and poured the molten lead on it. It became very defensive smooth barrier which could not be climbed over or penetrated its lower portion. When it is due for them to come out, the barrier will be breached by any reason. So they (Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj) will spread in the earth. They will do great mischief in it and destroy the wealth and property. Then people will return to their Lord invoking Him to protect from their evil and harm. So Allah The Almighty will destroy them completely. Moreover, amongst the other portents of the Hour is the descent of ‘Isa. This will happen when evil and trials are widespread among Muslims and calamities come successively. Then he will assume the leadership of this nation. He will remove all adversities afflicts them, kill Ad-Dajjaal and relieve people from desires and horrors.

 

Q: Who is the happy person?

A: The happy person is the righteous believer who observes and fulfills the rights of Al-Haqq (Allah The Almighty) and the rights of the creation in the best way, who adheres firmly to Shari‘ah in the outward and inward actions, and who turns away from the adornments of the worldly life. This is the happy person who will be given the best reward (i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honor of glancing at the Countenance of Allah The Almighty).

 

We ask Allah The Almighty to guide us to attain that and make us of those who adopt the best path. All perfect praise is due to Allah by Whose grace good deeds are completed, and upon the best of His Prophets and the best greetings.