Stating that the Mi’raj is not a miracle exclusive only to the Prophet Muhammad but a call of awareness addressed to all humanity, theologian Prof. Niyazi Beki reminded that prayer is, in this sense, “the ascension of the believer.”
Prof. Beki explained that the Night of Ascension (Mi’raj), which coincides with the 27th night of the month of Rajab, holds a distinct place within the spiritual atmosphere of the blessed three months that also include the Nights of Raghaib, Bara’ah, and Qadr. He said, “The Ascension is the name of the rise within the inner world of the human being. This period, welcomed with the supplication of our Prophet, ‘O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha’ban for us and let us reach Ramadan,’ is seen by Muslims as an opportunity for purification and renewal.”
Üsküdar University Institute for Sufism Studies faculty member Prof. Niyazi Beki, in his evaluation on the occasion of the Night of Ascension, emphasized that the Ascension is not merely a historical miracle but a universal call symbolizing the spiritual elevation of humanity.
One of the exceptional nights opening the door to spiritual elevation in the Islamic world
Prof. Beki stated that the Night of Ascension is observed in the Islamic world as one of the exceptional nights that open the door to deep self reflection and spiritual elevation. He said, “This sacred night, on which our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken from Al Masjid Al Haram to Al Masjid Al Aqsa and then ascended beyond Sidrat al Muntaha into the presence of Almighty Allah, is accepted as a divine meeting where faith, submission, and the consciousness of servitude reach their peak.”
It holds a special place in the spiritual climate of the blessed three months
Explaining that the Night of Ascension, which falls on the 27th night of Rajab, has a unique place in the spiritual climate of the blessed three months that include the Nights of Raghaib, Bara’ah, and Qadr, Prof. Beki said, “The Ascension is the name of humanity’s inner rise. This period, welcomed by the supplication of our Prophet, ‘O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha’ban for us and let us reach Ramadan,’ is regarded as an opportunity for purification and renewal for Muslims.”
The three holy months are a spiritual fair where the gates of divine mercy are fully opened
Emphasizing that the blessed three months should be evaluated properly, Prof. Niyazi Beki stated, “The three months are a divinely established season of abundant mercy, a fair, so to speak, where Allah offers His otherworldly goods generously.”
Expressing that the three months are special times that keep Muslims’ awareness of the hereafter alive, Prof. Beki continued as follows: “A Muslim believes in the hereafter just as they believe in Allah. A conscious and thoughtful believer constantly asks themselves, ‘What should I do to attain Paradise?’ Almighty Allah presents countless opportunities through His mercy so that His servants may reach Paradise. Fridays, the accepted hours within that day, the Day of Arafah, the nights of kandil, and especially the Night of Qadr are among the foremost of these opportunities. They are like spiritual markets and otherworldly fairs.”
Stressing that such divine opportunities should not be wasted, Prof. Beki said, “It does not befit a Muslim who believes in the hereafter to miss opportunities that have come right to their doorstep. The three months are the season of the hereafter.”
The essence is purification through repentance
Prof. Beki stated that repentance and seeking forgiveness are foremost among what should be done during the three months. He said, “There is an important principle in Sufism: removing harm comes before acquiring benefit. In other words, one must first cleanse sins and evils, then adorn oneself with good deeds. The most important matter during the three months is purification from sins through repentance and seeking forgiveness.”
He emphasized that this purification is not limited only to outward sins, stating, “Not only sins committed through actions, but also whispers and negative thoughts that come to the heart require sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness in order to purify the heart.”
Prayer, fasting, and the Quran are the spirit of these months
Prof. Beki noted that the spiritual process beginning with repentance should be crowned with acts of worship and drew attention to the importance of reading the Holy Quran during the three months, preferably completing it through full recitation and communal reading.
He also stated that the night prayer, Tahajjud, holds a special place during these months, saying, “Tahajjud, which was obligatory for the Prophet, is an important Sunnah for his community. At the very least, rising for Tahajjud a few nights a week becomes a meaningful act that distinguishes these months from other times.”
The Ascension is a call for the inner elevation of humanity
Reiterating that the Ascension is not a miracle exclusive to the Prophet Muhammad but a call of consciousness for all humanity, Prof. Niyazi Beki reminded that prayer is therefore described as “the ascension of the believer.”
Drawing attention to the central place of Jerusalem and Al Masjid Al Aqsa in the event of the Ascension, Prof. Beki emphasized that the Islamic world should hold these sacred places in a special position within their hearts.
Finally, Prof. Beki expressed that the Night of Ascension is a powerful call for individual purification, social peace, and humanity’s reunion around truth, and he wished that this blessed night would be a means of goodness for the entire Islamic world.