Now let us see what Lord Creator Benign Allah says about the holy Prophet's (SM) journey on the auspicious 27th night of the lunar month of Rajab. In Ayat (verse) one of Sura (chapter) Bani Israel or the Children of Israel of the holy Quran Almighty Allah declares "Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for journey by night from the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) to the Farthest Mosque (in Jerusalem) whose precincts We did bless, in order to show him some of Our Signs, for He is the One Who hereth and seeth (all things)." So, as desired by Benign Allah, Muhammad (SM) was carried in person in a vehicle (a horse) called "Al-Buraq" by the archangel Hazrat Jibrail (AS) on the 27th night of the holy lunar month of Rajab.

At the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem he saw other Prophets who offered two "rakats" of special prayer under his leadership. Then Muhammad (SM) resumed his onward journey and when he reached the first heaven he found the Progenitor of mankind Prophet Hazrat Adam (A). The holy Prophet saluted Hazrat Adam (A) and he returned the salutation while expressing his faith in his Prophethood.

In the same way when the holy Prophet (pbuh) reached the sixth heaven he met Prophet Hazrat Musa (A) and similarly he exchanged greetings with him and in the same way he (Hazrat Musa) too expressed his faith in the Prophethood of Muhammad (SM). Here something unusual happened. When the holy Prophet (pbuh) was bidding adiue to Hazrat Musa he found him weeping, and when he was asked the reason of his weeping he said he was weeping because he saw Muhammad (SM) was able to lead greater number of his followers to Paradise than his.

Then the Messenger of Allah (SM) reached the seventh heaven and here he met Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah (Friend of Allah) and in the same way they exchanged greetings and similarly Hazrat Ibrahim expressed his faith in the Prophethood of Muhammad (SM). After leaving the seventh heaven the holy Prophet (pbuh) was taken to a wonderful tree called "Lot" tree and he was also shown there "Al Baitul Mamur" the much frequented House which is encompassed like the Holy Ka'ba by the Lord Creator's 70,000 angels.

After witnessing the aforesaid House and Tree the holy Prophet (pbuh) was taken to the Divine Presence by a special transport called "Raf Raf" after passing through 70,000 veils of Allah's "Noor". And here in the August Presence of Merciful Allah the holy Prophet (pbuh) experienced the "thrill of witnessing the Divine Glory and Manifestation at closest propinquity". While in the Divine Presence Merciful Allah was graciously pleased to offer the Messenger of Allah (SM) a very valuable gift "Salat", that is, 5-times daily prayer for him and for his followers.

At first, however Almighty Allah ordained obligatory 50-times daily prayers for him as well for his followers and on his return journey when he met Prophet Hazrat Musa (A) he expressed his apprehension and told Muhammad (SM) that as his followers would not be able to offer prayer 50 times daily it would be better to go back and appeal Merciful Allah for reduction of the total number of daily prayers. Then the holy Prophet (SM) again ascended and prayed for reduction of the total number of daily prayers and the number was reduced to forty and when he again met Hazrat Musa (A) on his way back he once again requested him to approach Lord Creator Almighty Allah to reduce the number further in view of his followers' inability to perform prayer so many times daily. It may mentioned here that such process of ascension and descending from the Presence of Almighty Allah continued till the number of daily prayer was reduced to five only.

Salat is one of the five strong pillars of Islam on which the grand edifice of Islam stands. There are numerous Suras in which Merciful Allah has asked His Bandas (servants) to offer Salat regularly. Sura Al-Baqara says, "Establish regular prayer for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds, and Remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing in life."

As Muslims we do believe the miraculous Night Journey of the holy Prophet (SM) and his conversation with Lord Creator. About the holy Prophet's Ascension there should not be any misgiving or there is anything unusual for the true Muslims for they thought if Almighty Allah is powerful enough to have created all the heavens and earth by an act of His Will as clearly indicated in Ayat (Verse) 58 of Sura (Chapter) Ya Sin of the Holy Qur-an, then He is certainly capable of taking His Friend (Habib) Muhammad (SM) across all the seven spheres of heaven and show him some of His wonderful Signs on the said Auspicious night.

As this is the holy month of Rajab and since the Muslims all over the world are celebrating the auspicious occasion of the holy Prophet's momentous Night -- Journey Shab-e-Miraj on the 27th night of this month, we in Bangladesh should also avail this opportunity to celebrate this occasion with due solemnity and fervour and pray for Merciful Allah's forgiveness.

Kazi Aulad Hossain is a retired govt high official.