MYSTICO~DIVINE JOURNEY!!!
Glorified {and Exalted} is He {God}, Who took His slave {the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)} for a journey by night, from the Sacred Mosque {at Mecca} to the Aqsa Mosque {in Jerusalem}, the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that we might show him of Our signs. Verily, He is the All~Hearer, the All~Seer (Qur'aan 17:1).
Peace and Blessings of God be upon all the Prophets and Messengers, especially on Muhammad {PBUH}.The Mystical journey undertaken by Prophets of God and Saints is what i term as "Mystico~Spiritual Odyssey/Journey".
The journey by which God took Prophet Muhammad occurred while he was in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness.
Thereby, the journey wasn't only undertook mystico~spiritually, but also in his physical form.
The spiritual adepts in islam of all ages have stressed on the fact that such journey is inevitable for the achievement of Spiritual Bliss.
This kind of delicate journey can never be well described or holistically discussed, except from an experiential perception.
The Holy prophet described a 'tip~of~the~iceberg' of his odyssey to the people, and some of them found it very difficult to understand and believe, due to the fact that travelling to Jerusalem from Makka, and ascending from Jerusalem to the Heavens in just one night wasn't rationally comprehended by them.
Mystical journeys, in this kind of world, can only be carried out through the help of a spiritual master or adept that is well grounded in the Legal and Spiritual aspects of Islaam {i.e. Shariah and Tasawwuf} ambidextrously.
Awliyyaa Allah (Saints) have their personal experiences, but can never be like that of the Prophet.
The major difference is the fact the individual Saint is on a Personal struggle against his Nafs (Ego), while Rasuulullahi was on a Mission on behalf the entire Creations of Allah, and most especially his Ummah (Nation).
No wonder our five daily Salat (Prayer) was given to the Prohet that night, and was made a divine responsibility for all muslims to observe.
All prophets and saints had their peculiar divine journey experiences. A clear biblical example is the odyssey of Hezekiah, in which he transcended beyond reason and space.
Verily, the Qur'aan has stipulated the fact that a day with Allah is like a thousand year'.
So, total rationalities and sensual judgements needs not necessarily be holistically applied in the issue of Divine Journeys.
The goal of the Genuine/Pristine Sufism is to lead the spiritual seekers (Taalibs) to their divine goal and destination, without itch through the support and guidance of Ideal Spiritual Masters/Veterans (Shaykh).
And not some corrupt and dubious exploiters that are prevalent in our societies now.
May Allah guide and guard us through His path, that leads to Eternal Bliss, ameen.
May He also grant us the Patience to stand firm on His path and the divine forebearance to retain our convictions even when faced with great Tribulations and Tests by Allah, AMEEN.
