IMWA News
The Third EC Meeting of IMWA was hosted by the vice president Br. Mozammal Malik, at his residence in Salwa on Friday, 3rd August 2007.

Apart from discussing some programs beneficial to the members of IMWA, Br. Mozammal Malik talked about Islamic Shari’a based investment opportunities in Kuwait. He also pointed out that investing small sums maybe difficult for individuals, hence IMWA may workout some tailor made schemes to promote investments for the members of IMWA. Br. Malik also suggested to provide information about the marriageable children of IMWA members who are looking for their marriages.

EC confirmed Late Abdullah Hamza Dalvi Ramadhan Competitions for the children of Indian Schools in Kuwait which is going to be conducted in Ramadhan this year. For more details please check the local newspapers and visit IMWA’s website www.imwakuwait.org.

The EC meeting was concluded with Du’a by Br. Nooruddin Yusuf.
 

  Israa and Mi’raj:

The Miraculous Night Journey

The Israa and the Mi’raj refer to two parts of a miraculous nightly journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and authentic books of Hadith:

Israa is an Arabic word referring to journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and Mi’raj refers to his ascension from al-Aqsa mosque to the Heavens. According to some Hadith scholars this journey is believed to have taken place on the 27th of Rajab, a year before Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madina.

The first verse of Surah al Israa (chapter 17) of Noble Qur’an points to the event as:

Glorified is He Who carried His servant (Prophet Muhammad) by night from al-Masjid al-Haram (in Makkah) to the al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) - whose surroundings We have blessed - that We might show him some of Our signs. Indeed He alone is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Quran 17:1)

The Quran does not give extensive details of Mi’raj. However, according to some authentic Hadith, Gabriel took the Prophet (pbuh) at night from Masjid-al-Haram to Masjid-al-Aqsa, a mosque in Jerusalem on a Buraq. On reaching Jerusalem the Prophet along with previous Prophets offered Prayers.

Gabriel then took the Prophet (pbuh) to the Heavens. The Prophet (pbuh) met several great previous Prophets in different heavenly spheres. Finally, he reached the highest point in the Heavens and was graced with an experience of the Divine Presence. On that occasion the Prophet (pbuh) received a number of directives. The Prophet also was given some special gifts including obligatory prayers - five times a day and last two verses of Surah al Baqarah (2:285-286)

Thereafter, the Prophet (pbuh) returned from the Heavens to Jerusalem and from there to the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Numerous authentic Hadith tells us that during this heavenly journey the Prophet (pbuh) has been made to see the Heaven and the Hell.

Mi'raj - Reviving the Spirit of Hope

The Isra' and Mi'raj is a momentous occasion that occurred at a very crucial stage in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This uplifting (mi'raj = ascend) experience took place in the year the Prophet lost two of his valuable pillars of support; his uncle Abu Talib (whose political authority and care for the Prophet prevented the Makkans from harming the Prophet) and Khadijah (Prophet's beloved wife, confidante, partner and financier of the nascent Islamic movement). It was after the mi'raj that the Prophet had to leave Makkah, yet that departure marked a turning point for the nascent Muslim community and changed the course of history. There are many practical and spiritual lessons we derive from the Mi'raj; but we focus here primarily on the attitude of hope that it inspires through the life-lessons from the example of the Prophet (pbuh).

Ideal Attitude towards the Future

Our attitude towards the future influences our mind-set towards the rest of our life. Being positive about life ahead is among life's greatest motivators. Hope is the best attitude towards the future; this realistic expectation that something good or better could/will happen if only we continue doing the best we can. The human potential for hope is an essential antidote to despair and to harboring a positive attitude towards the future.

Hope is ... anticipation, belief, confidence, aspiration, expectancy, optimism. Hope is the motivational desire that you keep inside of you while waiting for the results or outcome of an event. It is the thoughts that you keep in your mind that anticipate an outcome (positive, good, pleasant, rewarding, relieving, happy outcome) that you want. Hope is obtained with optimism, looking for solutions where others see only problems. Hope is our desire to excel and to achieve, despite the odds.

Prophetic Model of Hope; Inspirational & Empowering

The entire life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a living example of the quality of hope in action - he patiently persevered, despite insurmountable odds and hardships, in the face of enemies numerically larger and stronger, yet despite all of this, he never gave up hope of establishing the Religion of Islam; and never failed to inspire those around him.

Thus the event of Mi’raj has great lesson for us. May the commemoration of the Israa and Mi'raj inspire us with the spirit of trust in Allah and revive in us the attitude of hope. Ameen.
 

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