Dubai expatriates mark Israa' and Mi'raj

Dubai, NU Online
For residents and expatriates in Dubai, a three-day special weekend vacation to mark Israa' and Mi`raj, which refers to the journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) to Al-Aqsa Mosque and his ascension to heaven, has given them a unique chance to mark the spiritual event.<>

“To me, it means more than a holiday. It’s a chance to refresh your faith,” Mohammad Mukhtar, 25, an Afghan expatriate in Dubai, told Gulf News.

“All your five daily prayers only take about 30 minutes in total. But the rewards are big – you feel relaxed, especially in today’s stressful lifestyle.

“[The Night Journey] reminds me of the importance of having a connection with your Creator – that’s what prayer’s all about.”

The ascension of Prophet Muhammad to heaven from earth is a well-known and important event for Muslims.

Israa' and Mi`raj refer to the two-part journey undertaken by the Prophet which began with him travelling on the steed Buraq.

He travelled to Al-Aqsa mosque in Al-Quds (Occupied Jerusalem), where he leads the other prophets in prayer.

After this he ascended to heaven, going through the “seven skies”.

Here he spoke to Allah, who gave Prophet Muhammad instructions to take back to the faithful; namely five prayers a day.

In the UAE, the Night Journey is marked on day 27 of the seventh Islamic month of Rajab.

Weekend of Prayers

Allowing people to mark the event with prayers and du`aa, the Emirati government decided to move the vacation from Monday to Sunday to allow people a three-day weekend.

Another resident, 38-year-old Briton Mohammad Omar, added that he takes the opportunity to “reflect on my spiritual deeds. The same way you take stock of your office work, it’s a good idea to consider what you are doing for the soul.”

“We should take advantage of the occasion to renew our commitment to prayer,” he added.

Sharjah resident Ali Rashid, a 34-year-old Emirati, wishes there was “greater focus” on religious learning during the occasion.

“You can use the free time to learn more about the event. The more you know about something, like prayer, the more you feel like doing it,” Rashid added.

“The Night Journey is a very special event in Islamic history; the children will love to listen to its story.”

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq