by Asma bint Shameem
Indeed, it is true that one night our beloved Prophet ﷺ was granted the Night Journey of al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj, when he was transported from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsa and then onwards, he ascended to the Heavens.
This is definitely part of our Faith.
It says so in the Qur’aan and there is no denying that fact.
However, the big questions to ask are.......
What did the Prophet ﷺ do when the same day arrived the next year?
Or the year after that?
Or the year after that?
Did he ﷺ EVER celebrate the night of al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj, or fast the next day?
And what did he instruct the Sahaabah to do about his Night Journey?
Did he tell them to celebrate that night as a 'special night' for worshipping Allaah?
Or fast the next day because it was 'the day after the Night Journey'?
And what were the actions of the Sahaabah themselves?
Did THEY do any of the above??
The answer to all of the above is a big resounding NO.
Surely the Prophet ﷺ did not omit or forget anything in the deen.
And surely he did not hide anything from us.
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is nothing that brings you closer to Jannah except that I have informed you about it and there is nothing that brings you closer to the fire of Hell except that I have warned you against it."
(at-Tabaraani--Saheeh)
Then why do we not have ANY Saheeh reports of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaabah worshiping Allaah especially on this night and fasting the next day?
That’s because that was NOT part of the Sharee’ah that the Prophet ﷺ
brought.
If celebrating this event was something that is prescribed in Islaam, the Prophet ﷺ would certainly have told his ummah about it, either by his word or his action.
If any such thing had happened, it would have been well known, and his companions would have transferred that information to us.
The Sahaabah narrated from the Prophet ﷺ everything that we need to know, and they did not neglect any aspect of the Deen;
Actually if celebrating this night had been prescribed in Islaam, they would have been the first people to do so.
Then if it wasn't the practice of our Beloved Prophet ﷺ or his Sahaabah, then, why do we insist on doing it?
Isn't the Prophet ﷺ the best example to be followed?
🍃Allaah tells us:
"In the Messenger of Allaah you have a fine example for he who hopes for Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah abundantly."
(Surah al-Ahzaab: 21)
�� But everyone does so!
Sure, I know, we have seen our fathers and grandfathers doing so.
But, remember that it is NOT our “forefathers” that we are supposed to follow.
Rather, our ibaadah should be based on proofs from the Quraan and authentic Sunnah, and NOT “culture” or “tradition”.
Just look at what Allaah says about people who insist on following their forefathers.
🍃Allaah said:
"When it is said to them: 'Follow what Allaah has sent down,' they reply: 'We will follow that which we found our fathers upon,' even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided."
(Surah al-Baqarah: 170)
�� But I hear many "Shaikhs" say so!
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever among you lives will see many DIFFERENCES, so I urge you to ADHERE to MY SUNNAH and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs who will come after me, and cling firmly to it.
Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray."
(Abu Dawood, others- saheeh by al-Albaani)
�� Is good intention not enough?
I'm sure, that in celebrating this night, your intention is good.
But dear brother/sister, in order for our worship to be accepted, not only should our intentions be good and purely for Allaah, rather the action also has to have PROOF from the Qur'aan and Sunnah.
If it is not so, it will be rejected.
🍃The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected."
(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
�� The exact date is unknown
Also, do you know that even though the incidence of al-Israa' wal Mi'raaj is an undeniable fact in history, yet the exact date or even the exact month in which this took place is not certain?
🍃Shaykh ibn Baaz said:
"With regard to this night on which the Isra' and Mi'raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month.
Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet ﷺ according to the scholars of hadeeth...." (Fataawaa Ibn Baaz)
�� But, what's the harm if I celebrate it?
Now, some of you will say, "What's the harm in it? I am just worshiping Allaah!"
But, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala Himself answers to that.
🍃He says:
"And whosoever opposes the Messenger (ﷺ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination!"
[Surah an-Nisaa:115]
🍃 Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen says:
"Fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer is a bid'ah (innovation), and every bid'ah is a going astray."
(Majmoo' Fataawa , 20/440)
🍃Allaamah Ibn Dihya said:
“Some of the story tellers mention that the Israa’ occurred in Rajab and that is an absolute lie according to the People of praise and disparagement.
Imam Abu Ishaaq al-Harbi said the Messenger (ﷺ) ascended on the night of twenty-seven in the month of “Rabi’ al-Awwal.”
And we have mentioned what is in the issue of difference of opinion and evidences in our book entitled al-Ibtihaaj fi Ahaadith al-Mi’raaj”.
(Adaa Ma Wajab min Bayaan wad’ al-Wadaa’eeen Fi Rajab pg. 53-54)
🍃 Shaikh al-Albaani said:
“celebrating the Israa in Rajab is only based on a LIE according to the testimony of the two Nobel Hafidhs [Hafidh Ibn Dihya and Hafidh Ibn Hajr may Allah have mercy upon them].
So no one should be deceived with what has spread in the latter generations that it occurred on twenty seventh of Rajab.
Along with the fact that the aforementioned celebration is not legislated in origin.
This is because it is an innovation that was not done at the time of the Salaf like the remaining of the celebrations and anniversaries, whether they be for joy or sadness. It is not allowed to encourage/promote that by any means. Like speaking [about it] and writing that the night was in the month of Rajab, specifically on the twenty seventh. This is due to what it involves of misguidance and reassuring a lie to the people that the Isra occurred in Rajab and that it is legislated to celebrate it“.
[Qamoos al-Bid’ah pg. 719]
So, remember, my dear brothers and sisters in Islaam, DO NOT single out the 27th for your worship because it was NOT the practice of the Prophet ﷺ OR his Sahaabah.
If however, you pray EVERY single night and it is part of your DAILY ROUTINE to stay up for ibaadah, then there is no harm.
Similarly, if you are in the habit of fasting Mondays and Thursdays, and the 27th of Rajab falls on one of those days, then it is OK to do so.
The problem arises when one thinks that this night is “special” and singles out this night or day for worship, thinking they are getting extra reward for their worship.
But this is contrary to the Sharee’ah and against the teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
And Allaah knows best.
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