In the Islamic faith, the holiday Lailat al Miraj (Lailätu 'l-Mi‘râj), also known as Shab-e-Miraj (Šab-e Mi'râj), commemorates the Prophet Mohammed’s miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in a single night around the year 621 and his subsequent ascension to heaven. During this journey, the two parts of which are known as Isra and Miraj, it is said that Mohammed met earlier prophets (including Jesus, Moses, and Abraham). Muhammad met Allah (God) and received the command for the five daily prayers, called Salat.
Nature of the Journey: While orthodox sentiment preserves the belief that the journey was a physical one, many Islamic scholars consider it to have been a dream or a vision. There are also some who argue that the journey was a type of metaphor – a revelation for Muhammad in symbolic form for the guidance of the Muslim nation. Many Sufis (Muslim mystics) claim that the story of the journey describes the soul's leap into mystic knowledge.
Note: In the Muslim calendar, the day begins at the sunset of the previous day. Observing Muslims will celebrate Lailat al Miraj on the sunset of Saturday, the 18th of July.
The largest and best known branches of Islam are Sunni and Shi’ite. Other groups within Islam include Sufis (although some Sufis regard their practice of Sufism as pan-denominational or non-denominational), Druze, the U.S.-based Nation of Islam (previously known as "Black Muslims"), and Ahmadiyya. As is true with all major religions, there are a number of adherents within each branch of Islam who consider some or all of the other branches heterodox or not actually part of their religion.
After sunset on July 18th, we ask that each of you pause for a few moments and, in a manner appropriate in your faith tradition and/or belief system, send feelings of love and good will to our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world as they commemorate the special time of Lailat al Miraj.
Shalom Salaam Peace
Kay & Dave Corby, Founders Common Tables “WOW! We just finished up with our first dinner (almost 4 hours.) What a wonderful experience."Kenton K., Colorado
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