Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies — Page 34
Other Muslim festivals. Besides the festivals which have been mentioned so far and which are universally celebrated, there are a few more which are celebrated in some parts of the Muslim world today, and which bring joy, happiness and satisfaction to those Muslims who take part in the festivities with full vigour. The style of the celebrations of such festivals varies from place to place and from one sect of. Muslims to another. . It should also be remembered that though in most cases these occasions have originated from the events in the early history of. Islam, yet they became known as festivals much later. During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet and his companions we do not find such celebrations as are prevalent today. . SHAB-I-MIRAJ:. Historical Background:. Shab-i-Miraj means the night of Ascent. It is the blessed night when the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually transported to heaven and he reached a high stage of nearness to God Almighty which is beyond ordinary human comprehension. The Ascent took place in the fifth year of the Call, about seven years before Hijra. The journey was not with a physical body but was a vision of the highest type. On the way the Holy. Prophet met Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and some other Prophets. . The purpose of this spiritual ascent was to confirm the high status of the. Prophet of Islam, a position which all Muslims believe, is impossible to atain by any other human being. It is related that even Gabriel, the Angel who was accompanying the Holy Prophet remarked at one stage, ‘I am forced to stop here. I cannot go any further, but you O Messenger of peace and friend of the Master of the worlds, continue your glorious ascent. ' ger of peace and friend of the Master of the worlds, continue your glorious ascent. '. It is also related that the Holy Prophet continued his journey until he reached very close to the Throne of God Almighty and attained the utmost nearness to Him. After having drunk fully at the. Divine fountain of spiritual knowledge he came down to impart that knowledge to mankind. 34