The Nature of Spiritual Journeys

Is travel limited to walking on foot? Our Prophet (pbuh) journeyed in diverse ways: on Buraq during the Mi’raj (holy ascent), by ladder (mi’raj), and by Rafraf (a heavenly cover).

Divine Speed and Permission

In the Quran, the term “Laylan” indicates that he (pbuh) completed his journey in an extremely short time. With the expression “Asrâ”, it is emphasized that he was transported by God’s will (Bi iznillah).

Journeys Through Existence

Human experience encompasses multiple journeys:

From the universe of spirits to the mother’s womb
From the mother’s womb to the earth
From the earth to the hereafter

There is also the journey of observing universes from a transcendent vantage point.

Inner Travel: The Sufi Path

According to the Safar Dar Watan principle (a tenet of the Naqshbandi way, meaning “travel within the homeland”), one undertakes a journey within the self, traversing the nafs (ego).

This divine journey through the levels of nafs, ruh (spirit), and sirr (secret) is described as the encircling and rotation of the eighteen thousand universes.

Sheikh As’ad Arbili (qaddese sirruhu, qs) says: “The journey of worship made by the body to Allah SWT is similar to the journey of an ant. But to perform worship with taqwa (piety), awe, and reverence is like the journey of a train compared to the ant. Distance does not matter for them.”

Miraculous Speed in Tradition

Consider the speed of an electric current, which travels in an instant. In the Quran, Asaf Bin Barkhiya brought the throne of Bilqis in the blink of an eye (Surat An-Naml, 40).

Caliph Omar’s (ra) command from the minbar—“Oo Sâreya, towards the mountain, mountain!”—was heard from a two-month walking distance away. This miracle is attributed to his devotion, including not laying a bed at night during his caliphate.

Similarly, the footsteps of Bilal (ra) were heard from the layers of heaven as he went to the mosque to recite the azan.

Spiritual Connection Across Distance

At the Qalami Lodge (Sheikh As’ad Arbili’s lodge), while officials were writing the requirement list, an order was simultaneously directed to the heart of Lady Bahijah Sultan: “take the pen and write.” Her acceptance of this command from afar was due to the plentifulness of the night.

The Night: A Time for Spiritual Invitation

The journey in the universe of spirits is an invitation, especially on Monday and Friday nights. Those honored respond to this call of the heart.

Reasons for the night’s spiritual potency include:

“Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words.” (Surat Al-Muzzammil, 6)
“Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.” (Surat Al-Qadr, 1)

Heart’s Role and Night’s Blessings

At night, the heart steps forward in its journey; its voice becomes audible. This nightly travel is undertaken with the serenity of the night, the peace of the heart, and the recitation of Surat Al-Yaseen, the heart of the Holy Quran.

Nights are when prayers are accepted, forgiveness through tawbah (repentance) is granted, and needs are fulfilled.

Spiritual Harvest at Night

The spiritual exchange peaks during sahar (the last portion of the night), which is like spring among seasons. The harvest reaped at night yields tenfold, seven hundredfold, or even more—contingent on the state of the heart.

It is during this time that blessings descend upon ahlullah (the people of God), and prosperity and divine manifestation (tajalli) illuminate the heaven of the heart.

In truth, the night invites lovers; it is the time for divine union.

Alemdar (Şubat 2016)