The Shaykh's remarks on the common people's claim that the Mi'raj took place in Rajab.
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The Shaykh : Fifth: Many people believe that the Mi'raj, which occurred to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) to the heavens, took place in Rajab on the twenty-seventh night of that month. This is an error. They believe it was on the twenty-seventh night and they celebrate on that night. Consequently, their error is in two respects:
The first respect is from the historical perspective, for it has not been established, and no previous scholar has stated that it took place in Rajab. Rather, they said that it took place in Rabi' al-Awwal, and some of them said in Ramadan. The correct view is that it was in Rabi' al-Awwal.
The second respect in which they are wrong is the celebration of it. That is to say, even if it were hypothetically the twenty-seventh night of Rajab, celebrating it is a religious innovation (bid'ah), because they celebrate it and believe that it is a religion and a means of drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Thus, it is among the innovations, and it is not permissible to celebrate it due to its lack of historical authenticity and its lack of prescription from the perspective of worship. It is very regrettable that some Muslims celebrate this night and suspend work on its morning, and perhaps heads of state attend. This is an error in which Muslims have lived for a long time. It is obligatory for students of knowledge, after the Sunnah has become clear and praise be to Allah, to clarify the matter to the people. The people are close; many of these people do not celebrate this celebration except out of love for Allah and His Messenger. If this is what motivates them to this celebration, then as soon as the truth is clarified to them, and they are truly seeking the truth, they will return to it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The first respect is from the historical perspective, for it has not been established, and no previous scholar has stated that it took place in Rajab. Rather, they said that it took place in Rabi' al-Awwal, and some of them said in Ramadan. The correct view is that it was in Rabi' al-Awwal.
The second respect in which they are wrong is the celebration of it. That is to say, even if it were hypothetically the twenty-seventh night of Rajab, celebrating it is a religious innovation (bid'ah), because they celebrate it and believe that it is a religion and a means of drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Thus, it is among the innovations, and it is not permissible to celebrate it due to its lack of historical authenticity and its lack of prescription from the perspective of worship. It is very regrettable that some Muslims celebrate this night and suspend work on its morning, and perhaps heads of state attend. This is an error in which Muslims have lived for a long time. It is obligatory for students of knowledge, after the Sunnah has become clear and praise be to Allah, to clarify the matter to the people. The people are close; many of these people do not celebrate this celebration except out of love for Allah and His Messenger. If this is what motivates them to this celebration, then as soon as the truth is clarified to them, and they are truly seeking the truth, they will return to it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.