The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 279
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 279 clemency of the Holy Prophet sa. Therefore, this number was reduced to five. Indirectly the Muslims have also been made aware of the concern that, “Do not be ones to show laziness even in these five prescribed prayers. Therefore, look hither! Do not be ones to show lapse. ” In addition to these realities, there were many other indications in the Mi‘rāj as well, but in a historical account, there is no further room for greater elaboration. The occurrence of the Isrā’ , as mentioned above, was an insinuation towards the imminent interaction which was to occur between the Holy Prophet sa and his community with other denominations. Moreover, the intent was to warn the community of the Holy Prophet sa of the upcoming threats during their era of triumph. In this instance, the very first indication was that this era of difficulty, which Islām is being faced with, shall soon be dispelled, and the current darkness of adversity shall soon be transformed into the illumination of day. Therefore, in the verse of the Isrā’ the word ‘night’ hints towards this very actuality because visually speaking, an era of difficulty and adversity is depicted by night time. Then, for the departure and destination of this journey the mention of the words Masjid-e-Ḥarām and Masjid-e-Aqṣā’ , were for the purpose that, O Muslims! Until now, you have only come across the ancient religion and civilization of the Arabs, the centre of which is the Masjid-e-Ḥarām. But now the time fast approaches when you shall confront the Christians and the Jews, and your centre of attention shall broaden from the Masjid-e-Ḥarām and extend as far as Jerusalem, which is the religious centre of the Jews and Christians. Therefore, it so happened, that after the migration, the Islāmic front was widened extraordinarily, and came to contend Judaism and Christianity, and the prophecies made in the Isrā’ were fulfilled to the letter. After this comes the scene of the horsemanship of Burrāq , as alluded to above. The intent of this was to express that in the battle between Muslims and other nations, undoubtedly, the victory of the Muslims shall apparently seem to be by physical means. However, these physical means shall be vested with the exceptional power of Allāh the Exalted, in that, the results which shall be brought about by God (through the use of them), shall not have affinity to these physical means. The progress of Muslims shall advance, as if soaring forward in the likeness of electricity. Therefore, it happened as such. Thirdly, this spiritual vision also signified that the gate of a new environ was being opened for the Muslims and that Allāh had vested every kind of blessing in it