The miracle of Isra’ & Mi^raj is one of the greatest miracles that Allah ta^ala has granted our master Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, and blessed his nation with. So, it is but natural for Muslims to observe such an occasion; especially that the memory of this great miracle comes in difficult times our Muslim nation is going through. A time when every Muslim should be attentive to protecting his creed, and sanctities and to line up behind the true rulings of our great Religion. It is but natural for the memory of this great miracle to remind us of our close ties to our Aqsa and that its people still grunt under an aggressive unjust occupation. Being the leading Islamic association it is, the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects proudly observed the memory of the great miracle of Isra’ and Mi^raj with an amazing celebration at Surrey Arts Centre on Sunday, March 24th,
This year’s celebration was under the banner of “Journey of Enlightenment” and was beautifully prepared, presented and organized by AICP and renowned Islamic Chants Group hosting an entertaining event enjoyed by a full house of diverse attendees and participants of the Muslim community.
Recitation from the blessed Qur’an commenced this blessed occasion, then praising the Prophet in many heartrending Islamic Praises (Madih chants).
His Eminence Shaykh Abdur-Rahman emphasized in his speech the fact that Allah granted His Messenger this great miracle of Isra’ and Mi^raj to honor him sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam by showing him the wonders of the upper world and to raise his rank contrary to the claim that it was intended to reach a place Allah resides in – we seek refuge with Allah from that. It is a fact that the belief of the Muslims is that Allah exists without a place and the fact that the Prophet ascended to heaven does not mean that Allah is there. Allah created places so He does not need any. Allah exists without a place because He created the places so He does not need them.
The great Companion, who was raised and taught by the prophet, the fourth Caliph, our master ^Aliyy Ibn Abi Talib may Allah reward his deeds, said what means: Allah existed eternally and there was no place, and He is now as He was [i.e., without a place]. (Imam Abu Mansoorul Baghdaadiyy related it in his book Al-Farqu Baynal Firaq). Imam Zaynul ^Abideen `Aliyy Ibnul Imamul Husayn Ibn ^Aliyy Ibn Abi Talib, who is the grandson of the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, is among the best of the Salaf said about Allah what means: O Allah, You are clear of all imperfection. You are Allah the One Who no place contains You. (Documented in his treatise as-Saheefah asSajjaadiyyah). Imam Abu Hanifah, one of the authorities of the Salaf, said: Allah existed eternally and there was no place. He existed before creating the creation. He existed, and there was no place, creation, or a thing. He is the Creator of everything. (Al-Fiqhul Absat)
The belief of the Muslims is that Allah exists without a place. Muslims should be warned about some books of some misleading information, such as a book attributed falsely to Ibn ^Abbas, named “Kitab al-Mi^raj” which means: The book of Mi^raj.
Shaykh drew attention to lessons deduced from the story of Pharaoh’s daughter hairdresser lessons of bravery, courage, and fearlessness of standing up to cruelty, oppression, and unjust practices. He also stressed on the significance of the ‘Aqsa mosque for Muslims.
In a collaboration between the students of AICP-Al-Hidayah and TIES (The Islamic Education Schools) presented a very remarkable sketch-play about Al- ^Aqidah as-Salahiyyah (The creed of as-Sultan Salah-ud-Din al-Ayyubiyy). It is the creed of Muslims, that as-Sultan Salah-ud-Din ordered it be broadcasted from the minarets after Adhan. This practice continued for a long period after his death.
The AICP seizes the opportunity to emphasize the call for unity and a unified speech towards piety and renouncing extremism of all sorts. Our large number will not be an effective strength unless we function united and we shall not be united unless our hearts meet on the fundamentals of the belief and the principles of faith applying the saying of the Almighty:( Interpreted as (Call to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice), and to the saying of our noble Prophet: “Facilitate things for the people and do not make things difficult for them; be kind and lenient with the people and do not be hard on them, and give the people good tidings not repulse them”
On this great occasion, the AICP asks Allah to grant Muslims sincerity, more beneficial knowledge, and prosperity. We ask Allah to bestow on us the bounty of entering Paradise without torture and being with Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam.
