A brief research of the words used to describe Meraj

On the night of Meraj, Jibreel (May peace be upon him) descended from the heavens and right from coming to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and continuing throughout the journey, he was the very personification of the respect of the Holy Prophet of (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He held the reins of the mount of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He did not miss of even a small article of the respect of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

When he came to the the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), he came with soft steps and rubbed his cheeks on the heels of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  What is to be understood here is that some books of Seerah like Ibn Hisham, etc. have used the words Fahamazanee Bi Qadamihee.  Some people have translated the above mentioned words as “Jibreel (May peace be upon him) kicked me to awaken me”.  This translation is completely wrong, illogical and is against what has been reported to us well.  No Muslim can even think like this.  This is against the respect and reverence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and is a lie against a respectful angel like Jibreel (May peace be upon him).  That’s why linguistic research about these words is being presented here.

 

First thing to be understood here is that the Prophets have been given such spiritual power that when Jibreel (May peace be upon him) starts his descent from the Sidrah, they smell him right here on the earth and understand that Jibreel (May peace be upon him) is going to descend.  Allama Shihabuddin Khafaji writes in Naseem Al Riyaz:

 

Translation:  The summary of all this is that, the inward of the Prophets and their senses are angelic.  That’s why they see the ends of the world, hear the creaking o the sky and when Jibreel (May peace be upon him) decides to descend from the sky, they smell him.  (Naseem Al Riyaz, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 545)

 

In that book, it has been proved beyond doubt using the verses of the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the rulings and sayings of the Imams and the Sahabah that Jibreel (May peace be upon him) is the preferred servant of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He has been appointed by Allah Ta’ala to serve the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He does not stray even to the extent of a hair’s breadth from the respect of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Is it even conceivable that to wake up the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Jibreel (May peace be upon him) committed such an indecency?  Islam is a religion which teaches culture and refinement and in Islam waking up even a common Muslim like this is against culture and refinement.

 

A brief research on these words

 

The word Hamaza has multiple meanings.  Among them is Hims, to walk with soft steps, to come with soft steps, to talk slowly, to cast a thought in the heart, to remove something, to press, to backbite, etc.

 

Multiple meanings of this word have been described by Allama Ibn Manzoor.  Among them is to walk with soft steps.  (Lisan Ul Arab, Harfuz Za, Ha Meem Za)

 

About this word, Allama Johri who is an Imam of Arabic Language writes in his Sihah, Allama Ibn-e-Faras writes in Maqayees Ul Lugha, and it also given in Mukhtaar as Sihah lil Razi that the word means to walk with soft steps.  Munjid and Mo’jam Al Waseet also say the same thing.

 

When all the dictionaries describes its meaning as to walk softly, then how wrong is it to ignore all such facts and to translate it as “to kick.”  This is a deviation from the Shariah as well as from literary veracity.  The words used in the Hadith should always be understood and interpreted keeping in mind the propriety and respect due to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Thus, Fahamazanee Bi Qadamihee means that Jibreel (May peace be upon him) came to me walking with soft steps.

 

Another meaning is to cast something into the heart.  Thus, metaphorically it means, “I felt his coming in my heart”.

 

There is no other way a servant comes to the presence of a master except with utmost respect.  Kicking somebody is not acceptable to any nation/community and is considered as disrespect.