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Secret of the Spiritual Ascension (Miraj) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

According to Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi), known as the greatest master (Shaykh
al-Akbar) and one of the islamic tradition's most important writers explains:

the purpose of spiritual ascension is not to reach God - for He is never apart from us - but simply
for Him to show some of His Wonders and Indications.

He writes,
[God] says, "I only make him (the blessed Master of humanity, the Messeger of God,
Muhammad) journey by night in order that he sees the signs, not [to bring him] to Me; because
no place can hold Me and the relation of all places to Me is the same. For I am such that [only]
'the heart of My servant, the person of true faith, encompasses Me', so how could he be made
to journey to Me while 'I am with him wherever he is'?!"

Thus for the saints (enlightened ones), they have spiritual journey in the inter-mediate world
during which they directly witness spiritual realities embodied in forms that have become
sensible for the imagination; these (sensible images) convey knowledge of the spiritual realities
contained within those forms.

These spiritual realities are the secrets of our innermost self and the journey also is within our
own self.

- from the Introduction of Ibn 'Arabi's Book Contemplation of the Holy Mysteries (Mashahid
al-asrar al-qudsiyya wa matali al-anwar al-ilahiyya), translation by Cecilia Twinch and Pablo
Beneto.

Its worth mentioning that the Prophet says: Prayer is the miraj or the spiritual ascension of the
believer.

Currently reading this great work of Ibn 'Arabi which is said to be written from inspirations of an
extremely elevated level. This is a major work of mystical literature. The Contemplations in the
book deals with perennial questions such as nature of existence, our relationship with the all-
encompassing Reality, the limits by which we define ourselves and the Truth, and the way to
happiness.

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Miraj | the mystical night journey | holy ascension to the Ultimate Divine
Presence
Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a J ourney by night from the Sacred Mosque to the
farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless, - in order that We might show him some of Our
Signs: surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (The Quran 17:1)
Tonight is the night of holy ascension (Miraj or Miraaj) of Prophet in this part of the world. At
sunset (as in the Islamic lunar calendar, the date starts at the sunset of the night before) the date
of 27 Rajab entering upon us: the Isra wa Miraj. This is the holy night when Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace, was taken to a sacred night journey from earthly sphere into the
unseen realm and finally into the ultimate presence of God. In this night the beloved Prophet
undertook a most miraculous and special journey out of time domain, on the winged steed al-
Buraq, from Mecca to J erusalem and beyond, met and prayed with the Prophets of all ages
appointed to humanity, ascended to the heavens, was given a vision of paradise and hell and
finally came back to the earthly realm.

In this journey, the Prophet Muhammad, may God grant peace and blessings upon him, brought
back the archetype pattern of communion with the Beloved, the formal prayer which became the
hallmark of Islamic faith. It reminds us of the world of the unseen, the world that is more real
than this material existence, from which God draws us to him, although in reality He is closer to
us than our life-vein. (via Maryams.net)

. Miraj | Prophet's initiation in the higher spheres
According to many mystics including Inayat Khan, the holy ascension is not to be taken literally
in the context of physical journey. It was more of a spiritual journey and special vision given to
the Prophet. Inayat Khan writes:

A story survives in Islam about the vision of the Prophet: a vision or dream, which was an
initiation in the higher spheres. Many take it literally and discuss it, and afterwards go out by
the same door through which they came in, but from the point of view of a mystic one can find
out the mystery it contains. [>] read more: Symbology of the Prophets Ascension (The Miraj)

It is recorded in the tradition that Prophet Muhammad said that "Prayer is Miraj of the believers"
like the holy ascension of Prophet himself into that Divine Presence.

According to Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, known as the greatest master - may God bless his soul, and
one of the islamic tradition's most important writers explains: The purpose of spiritual ascension
is not to reach God - for He is never apart from us - but simply for Him to show some of His
Wonders and Indications. [>] read in details, Secret of the Spiritual Ascension (Miraj) of
Prophet.

In mystical words of the Quran, the event is further described in chapter 53:
The Lord of Mighty Power has taught him, The Lord of Strength; so he attained completion,
While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he drew near, and came closer till he was
at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; And God revealed unto His slave that
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which He revealed.

The heart was not untrue in seeing what he saw. What! do you then dispute with him as to what
he saw? And certainly he saw him in another descent, By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary,
Near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)

The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold. Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
(The Quran 53:5-18)
Esoteric Spiritual Symbolism of Miraj | the mystic ascent of holy Prophet
Let us try to understand the spiritual symbolism of Mi'raj Spiritual
Ascension of the Prophet, upon him be boundless bliss and draw inspiration there from:

The 'J ourney by night' is symbolic of the Inner Journey undertaken in a night meditation, a
journey away from the 'Sacred Mosque' (Kabaa - outer Mosque) towards the inner Sacred
Mosque (Inner Dome or the Heart).

Riding on the Buraq is symbolic to riding on the Nafs (ego or mind, which is in it's base form is
animal and an enemy, but in it's higher form - when tamed and transformed through spiritual
practice - grows wings and ascends and acts as a vehicle to the Divine); however, the mind
through the process of Zikr, Divine Remembrance can only go upto the threshold of the Divine -
it has to be dropped at that point.

Being guided by Gabriel is the upward pull of the Divine Force - Divine Grace.

The experiences that took place until the point of final realization (the point of final ascension)
are the thought forms and then the higher visions that appear as meditation or zikr or initimate
remembrance progresses.

In this journey God unveiled unto His slave that which He unveiled of His Inner Mysteries and
Signs. The final experience of ascension is the self realization attained wherein Reality as it Is is
revealed and realized - that is, "None exists, save Thee" - the ultimate expression of Unity - of
Truth. Meeting with the other Prophets is symbolic of uniting with the same Divine
Consciousness that was realized by J esus and Moses and Abraham and other Enlightened
masters of humanity.
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The Prophet had an uncompromising commitment to experiencing Reality first hand and with
unmatched devotion and spiritual practice attained to the Truth - "None exists, save Thee" - La
ilaha illa Anta.

A true lover of Allah, God, Divine Reality, Truth, and the most inspiring Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam Sarkar) - and of all the other blessed prophets - should also strive
to build such intensity of spirit and use his or her entire being to seek Completion - the ultimate
purpose of human life - in the manner of the Prophet. The holy night of Mi'raj serves as yet
another inspiration and reminder to look within and begin our own inner journey to Ascension
and Completion!

- an inspiration and understanding shared by a dear dear friend, may her spiritual station be
ever increased and may the gnosis and secret of Fatima be unveiled to her.

image: persian miniature painting inspired by the vision of Miraj