Opinion | Lessons From Shab E Mehraj For The Muslim Ummah

Shab E Mehraj or Night of Ascension is one of the marvels that Islamic history describes. In that night, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was led on the pilgrimage from the Grand Mosque of Makkah to the Masjid Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and then taken to heavens to greet Allah.This heavenly journey consists of spiritual, ethical, and human lessons for Muslim Ummah. It conveys the message for faith, praying, patience, divine insight, and about the after life.
The key important lessons from this Mehraj important for Muslim Ummah.
Strengthening the Faith (Iman):
The journey of Mehraj is a test of faith. While the Prophet ﷺ shared this miraculous happening with the Quraysh, many people belittled him and refused to believe. It was, however, accepted and believed immediately by true believers such as Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), who said, “If Muhammad ﷺ has said it, then it is the truth.”
This teaches us:
Faith is beyond logic and human understanding, it requires trust in Allah’s wisdom. We must remain steadfast in our belief, even when faced with doubts or opposition. True faith means accepting the unseen, as the companions of the Prophet ﷺ did. In today’s world, where faith is constantly challenged by skepticism and materialism, the lesson of unwavering belief from Mehraj is crucial.
The Gift of Salah (Namaz) and Its Importance:
One of the greatest blessings Mehraj bestowed on him was the command of Salah (Namaz). First of all, Allah commanded 50 prayers a day, but then on the Prophet’s ﷺ request, he reduced it to five prayers daily, which yet carries the reward of fifty.
This explains that:
Salah is not just a worship but a direct connection between a believer and Allah. Through the five daily prayers, one mini Mehraj is possible to spiritually ascend and seek closeness to Allah.
The missed Salah disconnects one from mercy and guidance from Allah.
This teaching reminds the Muslim Ummah that prayer should be our first priority and not only a duty. It is a source of inner peace, discipline, and spiritual elevation.
Patience in Difficult Times:
Before Mehraj, the Prophet ﷺ suffered the worst year of his life, which he called Aam Ul Huzn (Year of Sorrow). He lost two of his closest supporters, Hazrat Khadijah (RA) and Abu Talib. Furthermore, he experienced humiliation and persecution at Taif. Still, he did not lose his patience. Allah rewarded him by taking him to the trip of Mehraj, meaning one needs to keep patience so that the Almighty provides divine rewards.
This teaches us that:
Hardships will pass, relief always follows difficulties.
Almighty Allah does not leave his faithful followers behind, He guides them at the appropriate time. Frustrations in life are the tests of faith and patience is the fulfillment to success. For the Muslim Ummah, this lesson is particularly applicable today as everyone faces struggles in personal, social, or political matters.
The Reality of Afterlife: Jannah and Jahannam.
During Mehraj, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw visions of Jannah and Jahannam. He witnessed the good things done by good people and bad things done by wrongdoers.
It also tells us:
All that a man does here on earth decides his Hereafter.
The rewards for good actions, such as offering prayer, donating, doing kindness, and honesty lead to paradise. Evil actions such as lying, showing pride, oppression, and forgetting prayers will be in Hell. The lesson for the Muslim Ummah is that of constant reflection on our actions, accepting repentance and acquiring righteousness.
Brotherhood and Unity:
During Mehraj, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led all the previous prophets in prayer at Masjid Al Aqsa. This epitomizes the unity of the Prophets and divine guidance’s continuity.
This teaches us to:
Muslims Ummah should always be united, not despite their race, belonging or nationality. Islam is a transnational religion, binding generations and physical locations. Disunity is weak to the strength of the Ummah. On the other hand, unity brings blessings and success. It is today when divisions start to sow within the Muslim world. Today, this lesson of Mehraj teaches us to actually embrace brotherhood and solidarity.
The Need for Learning:
Mehraj emphasizes that knowledge and wisdom were granted by Allah in favour of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This teaches us that.
Knowledge leads to enlightenment and closeness with Allah. Islamic study allows and encourages learning on religious as well as worldly science.
Seek knowledge genuinely and one reaches wisdom and prosperity.
The modern era demands the advancement of education, research, and intellectual growth with a sense of being a member of the Islamic community.
Trust in Allah’s Plan:
Mehraj took place at a time when the Prophet ﷺ was experiencing immense sorrow. Yet, Allah lifted him to the highest station, proving that His plan is always greater than our struggles.
This teaches us that:
Allah’s wisdom is beyond human comprehension.
We should trust Him in all situations, even when things seem difficult. Every hardship is a step toward something greater. In the wake of Muslim Ummah, it is just a reminder that ultimately patience, trust, and faith in Allah bring success.
Spiritual Ascension Through Worship:
Mehraj was the spiritual ascension for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which carried the message that true ascension comes through ibadat.
For us:
Our daily patterns of ibadat like very often worship, dhikr, recitation of Quran, and performing duaa do bring us closer to Allah.
If we work towards increasing our spirituality, we will surely become higher in Allah’s eyes. Inner peace and guidance through the negation of material distractions and focusing on faith.
Mercy and Compassion of Allah.
In the time of Mehraj, Allah reduced 50 prayers to 5 as a sign of His mercy. Therefore, Allah is always merciful towards His servants.
Does not burden any beyond his capacity.
By doing so, He forgives all those repenting unto Him.
The Muslim Ummah should perceive the mercy of Allah, and thus should also try to have mercy on people, which ultimately can be established through humanly society with amity, pardon, and compassion.
Masjid Al Aqsa, Islam:
Mehraj has reminded us of Masjid Al Aqsa, which was the very first Qibla of the Muslims.
Thus it says, Masjid Al Aqsa is a site spiritually and historically important to Islam.
Muslims should respect and defend this holy sanctuary.
The connection between Makkah, Madinah, and Jerusalem is deeply rooted in Islamic history.
Today, this lesson is crucial for Muslims in standing for justice and unity regarding the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. The journey of Mehraj is not just a historical event, it is a timeless lesson for the Muslim Ummah. It teaches faith, prayer, patience, unity, knowledge, spirituality, and trust in Allah. As believers, we should review these lessons to apply them accordingly in our lives. On embracing the miracles of Mehraj, we should strengthen our bond with Allah and rebirth the unit, wisdom, and success of Muslim Ummah.
May the Almighty Allah guide all of us on this right path. Ameen.
(Writer is a Teacher, Author, Writer and Columnist Hails From Boniyar Baramulla and He Can be reached at Mukhtar.qur@gmail.com )