Reflections from the Surah al-Najm
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
All praise is due to Allaah alone, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger of his household and companions?
My Dear Brothers & Sisters: In today’s Khutbah, we will try to reflect on Surah Al-Nejm with particular emphasis on Al-Israa & Al-Mieraj.
O Muslims: Indeed, every single chapter of the Qur’an has specific goals and aims. In this regard, Surah al-Najm is from the chapters particularly worthy of pausing to contemplate and reflect upon. Likewise, in its, Allah swears by the stars, as a way of emphasis. And in its opening verses, Allah testifies that the Prophet (SAW) is upon his Lord’s proper guidance. Allah (SWT) says:
وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَى* مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَى* وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى
Meaning: By the star when it descends, Your companion [Meaning the Prophet] has not strayed, nor has he erred. Nor does he speak from his own inclination. [Qur’an: 53:1-3]
Brothers in Faith: Just as people in the dark of the night are guided by the stars, similarly in the darkness of ignorance Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is the light of the People.
O You Who Believe: The verses in Surah al-Najm contains a discussion of the great Ascension of the Prophet (SAW), called the Mi’raj, unto the heavens and what he witnessed in that great event. This was a journey that contained numerous signs pointing to the immensity of Allah’s Qudra and his majestic magnificence. For he (SAW) have seen the Angel Jibril (AS) in the original nature that Allah had created him upon. About this Allah (SWT) says:
وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَى* عِنْدَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى* عِنْدَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَى
What can be translated as: And he certainly saw him in another descent – At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary – Near it is the Garden of Refuge – [Qur’an: 53:13-15]
Brothers in Iman: The Sidrat ul Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary) mentioned here is an actual Tree that has been described by the Prophet (SAW) with the words as being one: “Whose leaves were like elephant ears and whose fruits are like big pottery vessels”.
Fellow Muslims: Prior to that, the Prophet (SAW) met many of his brothers from the other Prophets and Messengers (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all). So they received him one and all and each greeted him upon arrival. From amongst them was the Father of the Prophets, Ibrahim – (AS).
He (SAW) also saw the Bait-ul-Ma’mur (The Blessed House commanded to be honored) about which Jibril (AS) said : “This is the Bait-ul-Ma’mur. Seventy thousand angels enter into it daily and, after they come out, they never return to it again”. Then, the Prophet (SAW) said: “I was admitted into Paradise where I found necklaces of pearls and its earth as being of musk.” He (SAW) saw what can only be termed as the ‘greatest of signs’, about which Allah (SWT) says:
لقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى
Meaning: He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. [Qur’an: 53:18]
Then the Prophet (SAW) descended and informed his companions about this event, wherein it came to be called the Isra (night journey) and the Mir’raj (heavenly ascension). His companions testified to his truth in this, at the foremost of whom was, Abu Bakr (RA).
O Slaves of Allah: Through Surah al-Najm, Allah (SWT) deeply fixed faith in the hearts of men. Through it He demonstrates that ultimately it is to Him that the Heavens and the Earth belong, and that He is over all things ever-capable and in charge. As Allah (SWT) says:
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا بِالْحُسْنَى
What can be translated as: And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth – that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] [Qur’an: 53:31]
Brothers in Faith: In this Surah, Allah also gives glad tidings to those able to abstain from the major sins, informing them that He will enter them into His redemptive mercy. As Allah (SWT) says:
الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ
Meaning: Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness.
My dear brothers and sisters: From the values that Allah has mentioned, is the following verses:
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى * وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنْسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَى * وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَى * ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَاءَ الْأَوْفَى
What can be translated as: That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen – Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense
O Worshippers: It is important to note that Allah finishes Surah al-Najm with a verse of prostration, wherein He says:
فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا
So, prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
This is appropriate, for it is in prostration that a human being is closest to his Lord. Thus, he calls upon Him with his most intimate supplication therein, whilst being in his most pleasing state to Him.
We conclude by stating that it is no coincidence that the obligation of prayer itself came as a result of the great journey of the Mi’raj.
It was narrated by Anas bin Malik, (RA), The Prophet (SAW) said: during the journey of Al-Maraj Allaah enjoined upon my ummah fifty prayers. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: «O Lord, my Ummah are weak and they cannot bear 50 salat So, give them relief. ” And the Most Merciful, said: “O Muhammad!” “The prayers have been reduced to five but they will be rewarded as though they were fifty.” Praise be to Allah, who has lightened for us our burden, and has not obligated upon us except that which we can encompass and bear.
وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين
