Read, learn and be salvaged
Muhammad Abdul Hai dwells on faith
THE night flight to the seventh sky and then to Sidratul Muntaha (last frontier) was the most significant event in the life of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) after he had been graced by the Almighty with prophethood. He was made the most knowledgeable human being as he was taken on a physical tour of heaven and hell and many other places which are beyond the reach of anyone else. Bishshanabir Meraj has been meticulously written to ensure that no subjective likes and dislikes distort the facts about the miraculous event. The translator has made all possible efforts to present a true picture of all that was narrated in the original version, and also the narrative has been made reasonably easy for the faithful to comprehend it with little effort. The book is, therefore, indispensable for believers to further cement and consolidate their faith and belief in the ultimate authority of Allah. Translation is never an easy task, especially when a book is pervaded by metaphysical and spiritual implications. Giving factual details is easy but injecting a non-physical flavour into a translation is a hard nut. Yet the writer, having adopted easy Bangla, has been able to retain the spiritual feelings, which is why the faithful will find it especially interesting to read. Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi was a great Islamic scholar and a spiritual leader. His mother was a descendent of Hazrat Ali and his father was descended from Hazrat Omar (RA). So naturally the enlightenment that Allah granted him was extremely useful for him in his later days in propagating Islam and inviting people to the true path of Islam. Bishshanabir Meraj first appeared as a single chapter in Nashruttib Fee Zikrin Nabeyil Habib, written by Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R). This book has been widely read and referred to by all Islamic scholars as the most authentic source for understanding Islam, its dictates and prohibitions. Muslims all over the world have profound love and respect for the great pious man. It goes without saying that having translated the book, the translator has well performed his duty which the Almighty ordains every single believer. Islam ensures that if an individual does anything for the wellbeing of others, he or she is rewarded profusely by the Almighty. Hence Hazrat Moulana Abdur Razzak has been able to harvest the double blessing of Allah. One is for translating the book, the other is for the blessing other Muslims will win by practising all that they learn from this book. Shab-e-Meraj has a very special appeal to all Muslims, and they always crave to make themselves aware of such a significant travel by the prophet. The book not only makes believers aware but also makes them quite knowledgeable. Such knowledge and understanding take their faith into the core of their hearts, which unfailingly makes them more pious, devoted and sincere practitioners of the dictates of Islam. The book is an authentic record of the chronology of the prophet's night flight which took him to the vicinity of the Almighty for an unprecedented discourse between them. The Almighty was pleased to hear that the prophet had all his prayers as a gift for the Almighty, and the prophet was also rewarded with Salat five times a day. It is a gift for the faithful because Salat is a meraj for every true Muslim, and on top of that, one who offers Salat five times a day is guaranteed an easy passage to the heaven. The arrival of the supreme angel inside the abode where the prophet (pbuh) was sleeping was in compliance with the Almighty's desire to show our prophet a few extremely surprising things in and out of heaven and hell. It was the night of 27 Rajab in the twelfth year after Hazrat Muhammad Mostafa (pbuh) was honoured with prophethood. Fifty thousand angels were directed to put the heavenly transport Burak at our prophet's disposal which later took him on his glorious flight to the upper sky. It travelled at a speed faster than electricity. Burak has been described as being decorated with all ornaments from the paradise. It was said to be smaller then a horse, but a little bigger than an ass. It was a very good-looking creature with the Kalema written on its forehead. It had beautiful dark big eyes and the two wings were bore the mark Allahu Akbar. The narrator has included details of the journey, and also mentioned the mental state of our prophet at various stages of his journey. Every important detail of the night flight is carefully incorporated in the book, which is a mark of the narrator's profound understanding of religious values. He also serves one more important purpose which is so much desired by pious Muslims and that is to interpret dreams. Quite a few dreams of spiritually enlightened Muslims have been incorporated, and these dreams indirectly serve as lessons for believers. A genuine Muslim can learn how he or she can fulfill a life long desire of seeing or having a discourse with our prophet (pbuh) in their dreams. There are many other valuable topics discussed in the book that will help Muslims attain more devotion in their prayers. A Muslim needs to be humble and devoted, he needs to surrender unconditionally. This book shows you the right way. Read, learn, obey, practise and be salvaged.
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