Words used to describe Meraj

On the night of Meraj, Jibrail (Peace be upon him) descended from the heavens, and right from coming to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), through out the Journey of Meraj, he became the very model of 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 let go of even a small article of respect of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

When he came to the Mercy of all worlds (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 Ibne Hisham etc have used the words: “Fahamazani bil Qadami” (Lit.  waking up with the feet).  Some people have translated the above mentioned words as “Jibrail (Peace be upon him) kicked Me to wake Me up”.  This translation is completely wrong and is against logic and is against what has been reported to us as well and 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 Jibrail (Peace be upon him), the trustful.  That’s why linguistic research about these words is being presented here.

 

The first thing that is to be understood here is that the Prophets have been given such spiritual power that when Jibrail (Peace be upon him) starts his descent from the Sidrah, they smell him right here on the earth and understand that Jibrail (Peace be upon him) is going to descend.  As related by Allama Shabuddin Khaffaji in Naseem Al Riyaz:

 

Translation: The summary of all this is that, the Batin of the Prophets and their spiritual senses are divine.  That’s why they see in all the directions of the world, hear the creaking o the sky and when Jibrail (Peace be upon him) decides to descend from the sky, they smell him.

 

In this 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 Jibrail (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 move away even 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), Jibrail (Peace be upon him) committed such an act? Islam is a religion which teaches culture and in Islam waking up even a common Muslim like this is against culture and manners.

A brief research of these words

 

The word “hamaza” has multiple meanings.  Among them are 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.

 

Among the multiple meanings of the word “Hamaza,” which have been described by Allama Ibn Manzoor the word “Hamasa” is also included.  As given in “Lisan Al Arab. ” About this word, Allama Johri who is an Imam of Arabic Language has written in his “Sihah” that it means to walk with soft steps.  Allama Ibn e Faras writes in “Maqayees Ul Lughat” that it means to walk with soft steps.  Again in Mukhtar As Sihah lil Razi, it is given as to walk with soft steps.  And in Munjid, Mojam Al Waseet says, walk with soft steps.

 

When all the dictionaries describe its meaning as to walk softly, then how wrong it is to ignore all such facts and to translate it as “to kick. ” This is a deviation from the Shariah as well as from literature.  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, the word “Fahamazani bil Qadami” means that Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to Me walking with soft steps.

 

A meaning of it is to cast something into the heart, so metaphorically it means that I felt his coming in My heart.

 

There is no other way a servant comes to a master except with utmost respect.  Kicking somebody is not acceptable to anybody and is considered as disrespect.