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Allama Abdulhaq Muhaddith Dehlawi, the
well-known scholar of the Indian sub-continent, has
written a detailed book on the merits of Islamic months.
While discussing the 'Lailatul-Mi'raj' he has mentioned
that most of the scholars are of the view that the event
of Mi'raj took place in the month of Ramadan or in
Rabi'ul-awwal.
(2) It is also not certainly known in which
year the event of Mir'aj had taken place. There are a
number of views mentioned in the books of history which
suggest a wide range between the fifth-year and the
twelfth year after the Holy Prophet (SAW) was entrusted
with prophethood, that will mean that the Holy Prophet
(SAW) remained in this world for eighteen years after
this event. Even if it is presumed that the Mi'raj took
place in the twelfth year of his prophethood, his
remaining life-time after this event would be eleven
years. Throughout this long period, which may range
between eleven years and eighteen years, the Holy Prophet
(SAW) never celebrated the event of Mi'raj, nor did he
give any instruction about it. No one can prove that the
Holy Prophet (SAW) ever performed some specific modes of
worship in a night calling it the "Laitatul-M'raj' or
advised his followers to commemorate the event in a
particular manner.
(3) After the demise of the Holy Prophet
(SAW) also, no one of his companions is reported to
celebrate this night as a night of special acts of
worship. They were the true lovers of the Holy Prophet
(SAW) and had devoted their lives to preserve every
minute detail of the sun-nah of the Holy Prophet (SAW)
and other Islamic teachings. Still, they did not
celebrate the event of Mi'raj in a particular night in a
particular way.
All these points go a long way to prove
that the celebration of the 27th night of Rajab, being
the Laila-tul-Mi'raj has no basis in the Sunnah of the
Holy Prophet (SAW) or in the practice of his noble
companions. Had it been a commendable practice to
celebrate this night, the exact date of this event would
have been preserved accurately by the Ummah and the Holy
Prophet (SAW) and his blessed companions would have
.given specific directions for it.
Therefore, it is not a Sunnah to celebrate
the 'Laitatul-Mi'raj. We cannot take any practice as a
sun-nah by our own emotions, unless it is established
through authentic sources that the Holy Prophet (SAW) or
his noble Companions have recognized it as such,
otherwise it may become a bid'ah about which the Holy
Prophet (SAW) has observed in the following words:
"Whoever invents something Jn our religion which is not a
part of it, it is to be rejected."
Being mindful of this serious warning, we
should appreciate that the 27th night of the month of
Rajab is not like 'Lailatul-qadr' or 'Lailatul-bara'ah'
for which special merits have been mentioned expressly
either by the Holy Qur'an or by the Holy Prophet
(SAW).
However, all the recognized modes of
'ibadah' (worship) like salah. recitation of the Holy
Qur'an, dhikr, etc. are commendable any time, especially
in the late hours of night, and obviously the 27th night
of Rajab is not an exception. Therefore, if someone
performs any recognized 'ibadah' in this night from this
point of view nothing can stop him from doing so, and he
will be entitled to the thawab (reward allocated for that
recognized 'ibadah insha-Allah. But it is not permissible
to believe that performing 'ibadah in this night is more
meritorious or carries more thawab like 'LaUatul-qadr' or
'Lailatuf-bara'ah', because this belief is not based on
any authentic verse or on a sunnah of the Holy Prophet
(SAW). Similarly, it is not a correct practice to
celebrate this night on a collective scale and to invite
people to special ritual congregations.
(4) Some people suggest some special modes
of worship to be performed in this night. Since no
special mode of worship is prescribed by the Shari'ah in
this night, these suggestions are devoid of any authority
and should not be acted upon.
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