Traces of the Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam:
It is permissible to seek blessings from the traces of the Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, such as to seek blessings from his hair. This is evidenced from numerous authentic ahadeeth. Throughout the UK there are events at which a hair, piece of his shirt and slipper are being shown.
- Huddersfield: Wednesday 25th November at 6:45pm, Birkby Fartown Community Centre, HD1 6HA
- Nottingham: Saturday the 28th November at 5pm, Forest Fields Community Centre, NG7 6HU
- Halifax: Sunday 29th November at 4:30pm in the Raven Street Centre, HX1 4NB.
Israa` and Mi^raaj: this event is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab as per the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam from the city of Makkah to Jerusalem and then through the 7 skies to paradise and beyond.
Note that the Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam went to a place in which he saw God. God created within the Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam the ability to see Him. The Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam was in a place when he was blessed with this experience. Note that God exists without a place and to believe otherwise is kufr.
Nisfu Sha^baan: this event is celebrates the 15th of Sha^baan.
The month of Sha^ban is the eighth month of the lunar year in the Islamic calendar and the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. For Muslims all around the world, the month of Sha^ban is a special time in which they try to do more good deeds than usual and fast more optional fasts than they do in other months. The Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam used to fast a lot during this month. It is the habit of the Muslims to celebrate the 15th night of the month of Sha^ban by praying, reciting Qur’an, praising Allah, and making a great deal of supplication to Allah during that night.
Ibn Majah narrated that the Prophet sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam said:
which means: <<Spend the night preceding the 15th day of Sha^ban in acts of obedience, and fast the next day.>>
The acts of obedience meant in this hadeeth are reciting the Qur’an, making supplication (du^a’) to Allah, and praying optional prayers. Even though there is a difference in opinion among the top scholars of hadeeth about the degree of confirmation of this hadeeth, acting in accordance with its orders (on that particular night, i.e., the 15th night of Sha^ban) is a good practice. This is so because the matters it orders with (i.e., reciting Qur’an, making supplication, praising Allah) are, in general, recommended matters in the Religion.
Some people because of their ignorance ask Allah to change His will on this night. However, note it is not permissible to make a du^a` for Allah to change His will. Because anyone who believes that change occurs in Allah or His attributes is a blasphemer.
The Night of Qadr: this occurs during one of the nights of Ramadan.
The Night of Qadr is a very great night in the blessed month of Ramadan. It is “the Night of Greatness”. In it, Allah brought down a great Book- the Qur’an. Each year, when the Night of Qadr occurs, great angels and great mercies come down to earth. Hence, Muslims are encouraged to exert a greater effort during this night performing acts of obedience to Allah.
