Lessons from Israk And Mikraj

A friday sermon by an imam in Singapore.

Let us bring our taqwa to Allah s.w.t to a higher level by submitting
to all that He enjoins and staying away from all that He prohibits.
May our lives receive the blessings and protection of Allah s.w.t.

My brothers in Islam,

Every year when Rejab arrives, we will be reminded of a particular
event in Islamic history - an event of enormous significance and which
has never happened to other prophets before Rasulullah s.a.w. That
event is Israk and Mikraj which will always be remembered by Muslims.
Many lessons can be drawn out of that single stamp in history. Allah
s.w.t has also recorded its occurrence in Surah Al-Isra, ayat 1:

Which means: Who took His slave (Muhammad) for a journey by night from
Al-Msjidil Haram (at Makka) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the
neighbourhood whereof in order that we might show him (Muhammad) of
Our ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc). Verily, He is the
All-Hearer, the All-Seer.

My brothers

From that ayat, Allah s.w.t has proven that Israk and Mikraj is a
definite reality. There is no doubt in that. It qualifies our faith
and conviction when we believe its truth. Besides, Allah s.w.t
illustrates His greatness in that one single event - among which is a
very special animal called Buraq. This animal was Rasulullah's s.a.w
vehicle while he embarked on his Israk and Mikraj experience that
special night. The animal transports Rasulullah s.a.w from Masjidil
Haram to Masjidil Aqsa in a very short duration.No one ever imagines
at that time how one can travel from Mecca to Baitulmaqdis in less
that one night. Indeed, with the help of the special animal,
Rasulullah made that journey within that unimaginable short time
effortlessly.

When Rasululah s.a.w was Mikraj-ed to the sky, Allh s.w.t showed him
flashes of mankind, their conditions and consequences of their
actions.Among them, are scenes of mankind in hell which can be used as
a lesson for us to sustain our faiths and conviction towards Allah
s.w.t. Besides that, Allah has proven His love and generousity towards
mankind by decreasing the number of solats. Even then, there are still
many among us who miss their solat.Aren't we afraid and ashamed of
ourselves?

My brothers

We can extract many lessons from the historic occurrence of Israk and
Mikraj. It can be our guide for us to increase our faiths. Among the
lessons are:

Firstly: Israk and Mikraj has opened our minds to think deeper about
Allah's s.w.t greatness. He has shown Rasulullah s.a.w scenes of how
those who has engaged themselves in wrong doings - going against the
laws of Syariah, will be punished in hell. These wrongdoings include
not praying, not paying zakat, zina, riba, breach of trust, not
controlling their tongues and many others. Allah s.w.t has also hinted
to Rasulullah s.a.w that the world has aged, so that mankind will
always remember where they are right now is actually nearing the end
of days.Let us all increase our conviction towards Allah and repent
towards Him.

Secondly: Israk and Mikraj has also shown how Allah s.w.t lifted
Rasulullah s.a.w position , and that Rasulullah s.a.w was invited
before Him. Indeed, Rasulullah's s.a.w position is so high, that Allah
awards anyone who recites praises to Rasulullah 10 times more for
every one praise.Won't this make us want to recite praises for our
prophet? As Muslims, we do not deny that we love Rasulullah.But there
are some among us who do not illlustrate our love for him.They are
those who do not emulate his personality and high morals.

Thirdly: Israk and Mikraj also illustrates the significance of solat.
Solat is one rukun received by Rasulullah direct from God, and not
with Jibrail playing the role as a messenger. We see how Rasulullah
s.a.w went through Mikraj and how he seek forgiveness from God and
asks that the number of solats be reduced.This Rasulullah did by going
up and down repeatedly to ask Allah s.w.t, until the number of times
that solats was lowered to only 5 times a day. Even though solats was
reduced drastically - from 50 to 5, the rewards for each solat is
equivalent to 10 times more . This is Allah's rahmat and blessing for
those who love Him. Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim. He is always with those
who is loyal to Him.

Unfortunately, there has been more and more amongst our young who
forgets their responsibility in doing their solat. They do not give a
high regard to solat, when it actualy helps us to cleanse our souls
from sins and shape us to be better persons. Insya'allah. Allah says
in Surah Al-Ankabut, ayat 45:

Which means: Read what has been revealed to you from the Book
(Al-Quran) and perform solat. Verily, solat prevents from bad deeds
and evilness. And remembering Allah is greater indeed. And Allah knows
what you do.

In a hadith from Rasulullah s.a.w cited by Abu Hurairah r.a; "I have
heard Rasulullah s.a.w says the following: "What is your opinion - if
there is a river flowing in front of one of your houses and you
cleanse yourself 5 times a day - do you think you will have dirt left
on you? His sahabats answered "Surely not - there will be no dirt
left. Rasulullah s.a.w then says : then that is the analogy for
praying 5 times a day, Allah cleans you from all your sins" (from
Bukhari & Muslim)