Issue No: 200
30th May 2014
30th Rajab 1435 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
This week the occasion of Mab-ath- the commissioning of prophethood- and event of Isra wal Mi’raj un Nabi - travel and ascension of the prophet to the heavens- were celebrated on the 27th Rajab.
From the Noble Qur’an and the Ahadith there is no doubt that it was a physical ascension by the Noble prophet.
“Glory be to Him Who made His servant to go for a journey on a night from the Sacred Mosque to the remote mosque, whose precincts We did bless, so that We may show to him some of Our signs; surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing” Sura Al-Isra / Bani Isra'il 17:1
M’iraj -un-Nabi and Science:
Many queries have been raised regarding this journey; as to whether it was physical or only spiritual?
If it was physical then it went against the scientific laws such as the law of gravity of the earth; the fact that it is not possible to breathe the air that is outside our atmosphere; the various hazards in form of cosmic rays; meteorites and air pressure….
First venture into outer space:
On October 4, 1957, the Space Scientists of the Soviet Union successfully launched, Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite. On 12th April 1961 history was made when Yuri Gagarin became both the first human to travel into space and the first to orbit the earth.
Through scientific research the Space Scientists were able to overcome the law of gravity and other issues such as cosmic rays, problems with breathing in space, and others. Various equipments were designed and built for this purpose.
Even today, the space science research is ever increasing with landings on the moon, launching international space stations and even journey to the planet Mars.
These scientific progresses and advancements in technology and industry have enabled man to undertake travel in space. This is possible through utilization of the gift of knowledge and intellect bestowed by Almighty upon man; His creation.
“O you assembly of jinns and men! If it be you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, you pass! Not without authority shall you be able to pass! Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?”
Sura Ar Rahman 55:33-34
Whilst man, who is a creation of Almighty has been able to succeed to travel in space then, can not the Creator, Allah SWT, make His beloved prophet Muhammad SAWW physically undertake such a celestial travel on the night of Miraj?
For certainly Allah SWT has authority over all things.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat