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It is the
declaration of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that ‘Prayer
is the Mehrāj (Ascension to the
heavens) of the Believer’.
When we
look for the definition and meaning of the word ‘Mehrāj’ we find that ‘Mehrāj’ is
actually an alternative word used for ‘the discovery of the unseen world’. When
we study the details of the Holy Prophet's Mehrāj we get a taste through the
conscious mind of the realms existing in the unseen world. The Holy Prophet,
after being released from the grip of time and space, physically arrived at
Masjid-e- Aqsa. All the prophets present there Prayed behind the leadership (Imāmat)
of the Holy Prophet. He then made his presence at the Heavens, the first
Heaven, second Heaven, third Heaven, fourth Heaven, fifth Heaven, sixth Heaven,
seventh Heaven, and then at the throne of Allah Himself. He met with the people
residing in the Heavens. He observed the state and condition of Heaven and
Hell. He conversed with the angels and then he was granted such a stage during
his Ascension where there remained only the distance of two bows or even less
between him and Allah. Allah conversed with His servant about whichever Secrets
He wished, and also said that what the heart saw was not false.
From the
study of this light-filled miraculous
incidence we can deduce that the word Mehrāj means ‘the discovery of the unseen
world’. Mehrāj was the Mehrāj of the Holy Prophet. For his descendants the Holy
prophet has declared Prayer as Mehrāj. When a believer stands for Prayer, in his mind
that door opens up from which he can
enter into the unseen world and become familiar with it. He witnesses the
angels. After being enclosed in a
circle of light (Noor) and liberated
from time and space he reaches the
height of the Heavens and then he arrives at the Throne of Allah where he bows down in subjection to Allah. A believer who attains the stage of Mehrāj
in Prayer is showered with the light (Noor)
of Allah's attributes.
It must be
emphasised that every one of the
Holy Prophet's descendants has the ability to
spiritually go on Mehrāj up to the Throne of Allah. Through Prayer any one of his descendants can converse with the angels, visit Heaven and progress to achieve the utmost limit which is to become a devout
servant and have intimate knowledge of Allah.
Such a believer attains the honour to sight
the High Throne, and Allah Himself. His ears hear the voice of Allah and
his heart becomes acquainted with Allah's closeness. The Holy Prophet's Mehrāj was
on a spiritual and physical basis and is such
a rank which is unique and exclusive
only to the Holy Prophet. Hażrat
Ibrahim's access was up to Bait-ul-Mahmood.
After Bait-ul- Mahmood come the stages of Hijab-e-Azmat, Hijab-e-Kubrya, and Hijab-e-Mahmood.
After Hijab-e- Mahmood comes Maqam-e-Mahmood and this is the stage that the Holy prophet ascending to on Mehrāj where he conversed with Allah, and Allah said:-
‘And We revealed unto our servant that which We
revealed. The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw’
(Sūrah
An-Najm, 10-11)
KHWAJA SHAMSUDDIN AZEEMI
Mehrāj means to enter the world of the unseen. When a believer attains Mehrāj through prayer, Angels appear in front of him. He travels through the Heavens, and through the blessings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) he comes to know his Lord.
