Mir'aaj= 27th of Rajab? Hmm...

27th Rajab, 1427
August 22, 2006

Assalamualaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Due to the recent confusion in regards to the 27th of Rajab and sisters wanting to know if they can 'catch the night of the 27th of Rajab' and desire to fast on its day and worship in its night for special rewards--because it was the day of Ascension (mi'raj) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) to the highest Heaven and his meeting with Allah the Almighty, etc--I wanted to clarify that there is no 'special' worship or fasting prescribed for this day and night. In reality the scholars are NOT unanimous in the month, let alone the day, of when this beautiful, miraculous Mir'aaj took place. Some say it occurred in Ramadan, others in Shawwal, etc.

Another point to note is that the Prophet (saw) did NOT specify this day for any special fasting or ibaadah (unlike the days of Ashura or 15th of Sha'baan, etc) and neither was this the practice of his companions (ra) or any of the pious predecessors. Thus, the way to honour and celebrate the night of Ascension and Mi'raaj is by honouring the goals and gifts behind it. For example, our 5 daily prayers were gifted to us on this wonderous night to the Prophet (saw), for his ummah, from Allah Ta'ala Himself. Subhan'Allah. That was the biggest honour bestowed upon any human, jinn or angel in all of history, and there will be no other physical ascension/Mi'raaj forevermore. Therefore, throughout the year, not on a specific day only, must we exert our hearts, our intentions and our efforts to perfect this Divine bounty and gift with the hope that one day we can achieve a sort of 'ascension' or 'miraaj' of the soul, and enter in the Divine Rahmah and Proximity of the Almighty. And Allah knows best.

Tawfiq, insha'Allah

Was'salaam,
Shamira

The Month of Rajab
By Mufti Taqi Usmani
http://albalagh.net/general/rajab.shtml