One Account, One Miracle
Lightning Speed
Mawlana Haydar Ali Madani
“Winters seem dull without peanuts,” exclaimed Khubayb as he took a handful of peanuts from Grandad. Suhayb nodded his head in agreement. “Peanuts are very beneficial for your health,” explained Grandad. “They strengthen bones and teeth and promote blood circulation.” After dinner, both brothers were sitting in Grandad's room, wrapped in blankets, in a bid to avert the winter chills, devouring roasted peanuts as they listened to Grandad. Suddenly, Suhayb cried, “Grandad! Please tell my brother to get ready early in the mornings. Even today, we were barely on time.”
“It isn’t the end of the world if we get late!” Khubayb burst out. “No, son!” Grandad interjected, “Don't talk in this manner. Besides, punctuality is a sign of successful people.”
Suhayb said: “Let’s not forget that one has to stand for the entire period as well in case anyone comes late!” Both Grandad and Khubayb smiled. “I wish I had a flying horse, so I wouldn't have to listen to your words every day,” Khubayb sighed. In reply, Suhayb quizzed, “I’ve heard of an Arabian horse, but where did this flying horse come from?”
“My friend told me a story he had read about a man with a flying horse,” Khubayb said. “Grandad, was there any such horse in the world?” Suhayb thought it appropriate to ask his Grandad after hearing what his brother had said.
“I don't know about such a horse,” Grandad answered, but at once paused for a moment. “Such things are mentioned in fairy tales. But today, I will tell you a true story of a lightning-fast animal. First, tell me which Islamic month are we in.” Khubayb quickly replied, “Rajab. I saw people congratulating each other on Madani Channel yesterday after the moon of Rajab was sighted!”
“Well done, and do you know which important event took place in Rajab?” Grandad asked. Suhayb replied: “Yes, Grandfather, on the twenty-seventh night of this month, our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was taken on a night journey of the heavens and earth.” Grandad said: “That is right, but keep in mind that this tour of the earth and heavens was covered in only a part of a night. This was indeed a miracle of our beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, as he travelled across the earth, in the seven heavens, and beyond, in such a small amount of time.”
Suhayb remarked “Grandad, it was mentioned on Madani channel that on that night, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also saw Paradise and Hell.” “Of course!” Grandad confirmed. “That is why the ulema say that this night is brimming with miracles of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, one of which is the journey of Miʿrāj. Our beloved prophet and master Muhammad صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم travelled from Masjid al-Ḥarām to Masjid al-Aqṣā in this night while riding the Buraq: an animal that is a little smaller than a mule and a little bigger than a donkey.”
Grandad took some peanuts. Khubayb buzzed, “But Grandad, I have a question - animals are not that fast?”
Grandad smiled. “You are probably not aware that the Buraq came from Paradise. So it is unlike animals of the earth. As for its speed, a hadith explains, ‘Buraq would take one step to reach as far as the eye could see.’ Think of Buraq to be as fast as lightning. This is why it has that very name, Buraq, which means lightning.”
Grandad reached this point when the room suddenly became dark; “It seems like a power cut, children! All of you should rest. I will see you in the morning, and may Allah protect you.”
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