Join Shaykh Abdullah Misra for a faith-affirming evening to learn lessons from the Prophet’s blessed heavenly ascension: Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj followed by recital of selections of the Seerah Song (Shaykh Abdullah Misra), Nasheed (Sidi Uthman Ames) and poetry readings from his book “Art of Remembrance” (Sidi Baraka Blue).
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Thursday, February 16 | MCC Conference Room | Join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live
Sidi Baraka will have his book “Art of Remembrance” for sale.
MCC annually commemorates a momentous occasion in the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life: the miraculous Night Journey to Jerusalem and Ascension to Heaven (al-Isra wal-Mi’raj). This event starts at 6 p.m. and goes until the congregational Isha prayer at 8 p.m.
- – More Sheikh Abdullah Misra: https://mcceastbay.org/misra
- – Past talks commemorating Al Isra Wa Miraj: https://mcceastbay.org/isra
Muslims worldwide remember this event as one that changed the course of history. Allah bestowed the tremendous honor of this journey and the command of Prayer (salah) upon His Messenger – a perpetual gift and source of comfort for Muslims until eternity.
This webinar is also an excellent way to begin spiritually preparing ourselves for Ramadan and enlivens our spirit to get through the uncertainty we are challenged with now.
More about this particular night:
Isra Mi’raj is celebrated on the 27th of Rajab. This night happened in 621, which is the year of sadness (‘Aam ul Huzn) when Abu Talib & Khadijah (RA) died. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) rode Buraq (a white steed) during his journey, and Allah enjoined 50 prayers and reduced the prayers to five.
He met different Prophets on the journey:
- – 7th Heaven met Ibrahim (AS)
- – 6th Heaven met Musa (AS)
- – 5th Heaven met Harun (AS)
- – 4th Heaven met Idris (AS)
- – 3rd Heaven met Yusuf (AS)
- – 2nd Heaven met Isa (AS) & Yahya (AS)
- – 1st Heaven met Adam (AS)
MI’RAJ – Ascend to heaven, where he speaks to God
ISRA’ – Night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
Sh. Abdullah Anik Misra
Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra was born in Toronto, Canada. Raised in the Hindu tradition, he embraced Islam in 2001 while studying at the University of Toronto, where he completed his Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies.
He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also serving as Director of Programs at the Qasid Arabic Institute. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya), authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith, and has studied one year of specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (Ifta’).
He also holds a certificate in Islamic Counselling and often works with those with religious obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD/waswasa). He is an instructor and researcher in the Islamic Sciences and has taught online and in person for several learning institutes and organizations.
He is the author of the Seerah Song, the first complete Seerah poem written in rhyming English verse to be used as a teaching tool, performed by Zain Bhikha. He currently resides near Toronto, Canada, with his family.
Sidi Baraka Blue
Baraka Blue is a poet, musician, author, and teacher from Seattle, Washington. In addition to releasing multiple studio albums, authoring books of poetry, and performing internationally, Baraka Blue is a prolific educator with a master’s degree in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
He spent several years studying with traditional spiritual masters in Africa, Turkey, Asia, and the Arab world. He has performed and taught all over the world, including at institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, and the School of Oriental and African Studies.
In 2018, Baraka Blue founded the Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts, which provides online courses to seekers from anywhere in the world. Baraka Blue has also conducted creative writing workshops for K-12 schools, universities, cultural and religious centers, and various organizations worldwide.
He is the host of the award-winning podcast Path & Present, which features conversations on spirituality in the modern world. He lives in Seattle, where he is the director of Wasat, an organization that builds community through spirituality, arts and culture, and service.
Sidi Wendell Uthman
Sidi Wendell Uthman Ames’ story to Islam begins at a hip-hop store in Southern California where he worked during high school. He watched his manager take breaks during the day to pray Salah in a back room. A group of Filipino converts soon began visiting the store. A Filipino-American himself, this further triggered his interest in Islam. The Filipino converts befriended him, and Sidi Wendell took his Shahada (Declaration of Faith) with them at age 17, MashaAllah! Sidi Wendell then began driving with them to the Bay Area to take classes with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. This is pre-Zaytuna College. Sidi Uthman would eventually move to the Bay Area and live with Sidi Usama Canon. Sidi Wendell is now a well-known munshid (reciter). He shares his beautiful voice at gatherings all over the world. He is frequently performing at MCC East Bay, Al-Maqasid, and Ta’leef Collective.
- More Sheikh Abdullah Misra: https://mcceastbay.org/misra
- Support the Seerah Song Project: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/seerah_song_project#!/
- Zain Bhikha (Vocal version of (Seerah Song”): https://youtu.be/03qWfCMQNws