Muftija Smajlović: Mi'raj shows the path to a more pleasant life

(Patria) - The blessed night of Laylat al-Mi'raj begins this evening with the evening prayer, and will be marked with special programs in mosques throughout Bosnia and
Herzegovina and the diaspora. The Mufti of Banja Luka, Ismail-ef. Smajlović, spoke to the MINA Agency on the occasion of Laylat al-Mi'raj, recalling the historical context in which the Mi'raj occurred, and pointing out the messages it carries.

"According to many, it was in the eleventh year of the prophethood, in Mecca, before the Hijra. Muhammad, peace be upon him, his family, relatives and companions were in great trials: deaths in the family, isolation of the family, persecution of individuals and expulsion of prominent Muslims. A group of Muslims migrated to Taif, Abyssinia and other places. For three years they had lived outside the settlement in the desert under the pressure of a boycott. The year in which the Prophet's, peace be upon him, uncle Abu Talib, his wife Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, and other significant figures from the life of Muhammad, peace be upon him, passed away. The Prophet, peace be upon him, and his companions called this year the 'year of sorrow' - sanat al-huzn," stated Mufti Smajlović.

After persecution and severe trials in this world, the Lord shows Muhammad, peace be upon him, extraterrestrial secrets.

"The journey from Mecca through Jerusalem to the heavenly realms is a lesson in the connection of worlds. Al-Haram al-Sharif with the Kaaba is the primordial connection to Paradise from which Adam, peace be upon him, came to this area. Ash-Sham with al-Aqsa Mosque is a civilizational achievement of many peoples who, with the prophets, visited and built in these areas. None of the prophets throughout human history called for violence, humiliation and killing, even when, like Moses, peace be upon him, they were rejected by their people. Moses, peace be upon him, calls and leads the Israelites from humiliation to the Promised Land where they were to come with dignity, with pure faith in God Who demands the application of the Ten Commandments: do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not commit adultery, and so on, but they did not follow Moses, peace be upon him, then. Today, in that area of sanctity, violence is being carried out that is humiliating for the human race," he said.

He added that the Promised Land or the blessed Ash-Sham is sacred to Muslims in every generation of prophethood.

"That is what Muhammad, peace be upon him, connects with his ritual journey, the Mi'raj! In the area of Ash-Sham, civilization was realized, just as in Mecca the sanctity that Muslims believe, feel and respect was confirmed! How many prophets and civilizations have passed through this area and left traces for lesson and learning. For progress, success, one needs
God's blessing. That is what Muhammad, peace be upon him, had when he was honored with the journey of the Mi'raj. Violent people, the disobedient and sinners cannot have the blessing of the Exalted Lord. He sends His mercy upon pure and pious hearts, gives hope to the helpless and provides protection to the oppressed," said the Mufti.

As he points out, the current situation does not show that Muslims are reading the messages of the Mi'raj. From the historical context, the strength of the human being that can rise, and the pious/ritual dimension as therapy for both the individual and the community.

"Periods in a person's life should be considered through development characterized by the following: The period of puberty when a person has free time and strength but no wealth; the period of working ability when a person has strength and wealth but no free time; and the period of old age when a person has wealth and free time but no strength. That is life, when it gives something, it takes something else. Therefore, the Prophet's, peace be upon him, message is clear: one should use one's own capacities and resources in all stages of life according to available capacity: 'Take advantage of five things: youth before old age, health before sickness, wealth before poverty, free time before preoccupation, and
life before death'," emphasized the Mufti.

He adds that "the ulema advises a person to check their own situation in such a way that if they want to know their position with the Exalted Allah, they should look at Allah's position in their heart, with the recommendation that before you complain to the Exalted Allah for what you have lost, check whether you have given thanks for what you have and enjoy."

"Finally, prepare and illuminate your paths with the most beautiful light: regularly perform the prescribed prayer, give charity when the opportunity arises, and read/associate with the Qur'an daily, and you will live this world more easily. May our entire life be a mi'raj, an ascent towards Him and His mercy," the Mufti of Banja Luka said, among other things.
Every significant date, blessed day or blessed night has its meaning, duration and messages, the Mufti emphasized. The journey from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Aqsa Mosque is called Isra', and from al-Aqsa Mosque to Sidrat al-Muntaha is the ascension - Mi'raj.

"Beyond Sidrat al-Muntaha, the conversation with the Exalted Allah - munajat - took place. Each of these areas has significance and an important message for every generation of the human race. The Exalted Allah showed Muhammad, peace be upon him, the greatest expanses in the cosmos, the beauties of Paradise and the state of Hell. Through the Mi'raj, the path of success for the human race was announced. The message of the Mi'raj points to the values of good and truth that develop invincible strength in individuals when they live and apply these values. An important message of the Mi'raj is the ascension of man whom the Exalted Allah loves and thereby confirms his full freedom and supremacy in the created world. The Mi'raj is a gift to Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, and the ummah for preserving quality and charting the path of success. The Mi'raj is an honor not only for the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, but for the entire human race, as Muhammad, peace be upon him, indicated," said the Mufti.

An important message of the Mi'raj is the prayer for maintaining a spiritual connection with the Exalted Allah in the five daily prayers.

"In the upbringing of a person, spiritual and physical ascension, prayer is irreplaceable. Prayer educates the human personality by constantly reminding it of its Lord, Creator, Sustainer and Educator, which sharpens the sense of responsibility in all areas of life, as revealed in the Noble Qur'an: 'Prayer prevents the commission of ugly, evil and shameless deeds.' And the Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, says: 'Prayer is the foundation of faith. Prayer is the key to every good. In prayer, the eyes of the worshiper shine with joy. Prayer is the mi'raj of the believer.' Therefore, the therapy of prayer is the path for the ascension of
the human race! The Mi'raj is a magnificent event with full purpose, meaning and many useful messages," concluded the Mufti of Banja Luka, Ismail-ef. Smajlović, in an interview with the MINA Agency.