Isra & Miraj

Bismillah. 

Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu

“Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) (above all that (evil) they associate with Him),Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” Al-Isra 17:1

The Isra and Miraj refer to, two parts of a miraculous journey that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took in one night from Makka to Jerusalem and then an ascension to the heavens.

The beautiful and perfect story took place in the ninth year of the Prophet’s mission. It is explained that the angel Jibreel came to him and led the Prophet to al-Buraq (described as a white horse like winged creature from the heavens (“whose each stride stretched as far as the eye could see”) who flew Him with Jibreel from Makaah, to the furthest mosque in Jerusalem, Al-Asqa. The Prophet then was united with Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other various Prophets as He led them all in prayers. Muhammad (PBUH) was presented a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. The Prophet chose the milk and Gabriel said, 'You have chosen the true religion'.

On his (PBUH) way, rising through the seven heavens, he again met the various prophets, and his vision of the heavens and of the beauty of those horizons permeated his being. He at last reached the Lotus of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha). This was where the Prophet received the injunction of the five daily prayers and Revelation of the verse that established the elements of the Muslim creed (Al-Aqidah):

“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the believers. Each one believes in God, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. We make no distinction between one and another of His Messengers. And they say: ‘We hear, and we obey: [we seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the end of all journeys.” Al-Baqarah 2:285

“Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim)”.

In just a few short weeks, Muslims from around the globe will begin to practice Ramadan. During this month of Ramadan, we are expected to re-evaluate one-self in accordance to Islamic guidelines. 

I embrace Islam and Ramadan is especially dear to my heart because there was a time when I walked in darkness and Allah (Swt) Al Rahman (The Merciful) led me to the light, the straight path,  to Islam just a  few years ago on a warm summer day just hours before the first day of Ramadan. 

Some said to me “Are you crazy, you decided to convert during Ramadan” or “You picked a fine time to turn Muslim.” The ignorance actually made me smile. It was then that I knew that I was given the best gift of my life which was life at the time. It was a second chance at my life; to have my sins forgiven and to have a clean slate.  For only a true believer would understand where the blessing lies here.

One of the greatest ways to attain purity is to abide by the fourth pillar of Islam which is Sawm or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Sawm (fasting) literally means to “refrain”.  Fasting is not only refraining just from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.  This means total restraint of your body including your tongue from backbiting, gossiping, etc., your eyes from looking at unlawful things, the ears from listening to anything that may be haram, and the feet from going to sinful places.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

May Allah give us the heart and spirit to strive for His sake throughout the month of Ramadan and in our daily lives so that we can be truly be amongst the pious.  Ameen.

For Covered Girls

Modest

Unique

Sincere

Loyal

Intelligent

Morally Grounded

Allah (swt) Fearing

Honorable

Bismillah

 "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what [must ordinarily] appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands', their fathers, their sons, their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O' you Believers! Turn all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss." (Qur'an 24:31)

My sisters, how blessed we are to be Muslim! Masha'Allah. Allah (swt) has ordained for us to be amongst the pious, the righteous, and the successful. Alhamdulillah. This in itself should be enough for you to be happy and excited. Allah (swt) gives us these simple instructions to turn to Him and we may attain Bliss (perfect happiness; joy). In this lifetime, to have an instruction manual in order to acquire joy and to have your Raab be pleased with you is priceless. The truth is, if we live for this world, we will gain things and recognition of people; gaining things, money, cars, houses, degrees etc. These are not bad things to have but  we surely cannot take them with us when we die but to acquire knowledge of our religion, it is made easy for us on our path to paradise.

In a Hadeeth on the authority of 'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "O youth of the Quraysh! Do not commit adultery, Whoever preserves his chastity will enter paradise." [Al-Haakim, Al-Haakim- Saheeh]

In today's society, it's easy to get pulled into what everyone else is doing and if you are not surrounded by believing people then you will feel different and maybe a little uncomfortable. If you ever begin to feel that way, please remember that we are merely passers by in this world and that Allah (swt) has a plan for all of us. Please know that your hijab protects you. It protects you from being judged and lusted after at the same time it identifies who you are! You are on display to the world. You are an example of a woman striving to please the Lord of the Worlds. How high should you feel and proud (in a modest way). You are beautiful. The Muslim woman stands strong in the tests of this world because she knows the Allah (swt) and places all of her faith in Him.

The Prophet (PBUH) gave good news to those who are generous, men and women alike, that they will be among those who will enter Paradise in peace:

"Spread salaam, offer food generously, uphold the ties of kinship, stand in prayer at night when people are sleeping , and enter Paradise in peace."

Take heed that it is critical that we follow the instructions that were given to us as they are provided in order for us to be successful. The Muslim woman worships Allah, she is obedient to the commands of Allah, she keeps good appearance, she takes care of her mind by seeking knowledge of the religion, she loves for the sake of Allah, she is generous and honors her sisters. Part of the beauty of Islam is the relationship among the sisters. Women must embrace one another and encourage each other especially to do good. To have a bond with sisters who love you for the sake of Allah is yet another blessing given to us from Allah (swt). Alhamdulillah. She will stand with you in times of trouble, she will pray for you in your absence, she will study Islam with you and she will always remind you of Allah (swt),  she's sincere, tolerant, and forgiving. Let's strive to be amongst those who women who are genuine and loyal.

BACK TO THE HIJAB

Islam is such a beautiful religion . The way of life. Truth. We should embrace this lifestyle and not be ashamed. If we are ashamed then what does that say about how we feel about Allah (swt). Dressing modestly shows 1) Your obedience to our Creator, 2) Dignity 3) Pure Beauty 4) Confidence. Muslim women are unique. A woman wearing hijaab commands respect. She should wear it with her head up at the same time of lowering her gaze. She should feel comfortable, free, respected, and favored.

I leave you on this note my sisters.

"Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to paradise." (reported by Ibn Majah and others fulfilling the conditions of Imam al Bukhari and Imam Muslim)

Protection for the Muslim female is knowledge. Whether you were born Muslim or a convert, whether you live in Indonesia or in America. Regardless of if you are brown or white, African or Asian etc. We live in tremendous evil times and we must be equipped with knowledge of the religion. You cannot be oppressed if you have knowledge. You cannot be abused if you have knowledge. You cannot be persuaded if you have knowledge. You can only gain when you have KNOWLEDGE.

Please reference the following audio recording

http://audio-islam.com/2013/01/23/advice-to-muslim-sisters-seeking-knowledge-mustafa-george-audioen/

May Allah (swt) always guide us to the straight path that will lead us into Jannah. Ameen.

Salaams