Salutations upon the son of Lote tree (Sedratul Muntaha)

Salutations upon the son of Lote tree (Sedratul Muntaha)

اَلسَّلامُ عَلَى ابْنِ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهى

Salutations upon the son of Lote tree (Sedratul Muntaha)

The word ‘Sedra’ means a lote tree. This has reference from the following verse:

“And certainly he saw him in another descent, at the farthest lote-tree (Sedratul Muntaha); near which is the garden (Jannatul Mawa)” 

(Surah Njam (53): Verses 13-15)

The aforesaid verse refers to seeing of Hazrat Jibrael  in his original form by Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.a.) on the night of ascension at the Lote tree near the garden.

This exegesis is based on authentic traditions quoted in large numbers by the Shias as well as the Sunnis. Now, let us glance through the traditions of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) about ‘Sedratul Muntaha’.

• Nomenclature

It is narrated from Hazrat Imam Abu Ja’far Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) that the lote tree is called ‘Muntaha’ (the final destination) because the angels (who write our deeds) take the accounts of deeds to ‘Sedra’. There, the honored writer of goodness writes the deeds of the servants sitting under the lote tree. Hence, it is called ‘Sedratul Muntaha’.

(Ealalush Sharaai, Behaar al-Anwaar, v.18, p. 365)

• The Huge Lote Tree

It is narrated in the tradition of ascension from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

Jibrael  made me stand near a huge tree, the like of which I had never seen before. I saw an angel on each of its branches, on every leaf and fruit. The crown of light of Allah, the High and the Majestic was shining on it.  Jibrael  said: This is ‘Sedratul Muntaha’. All the previous Prophets (a.s.) have halted here but none has gone beyond. However, Inshallah, you will be going beyond this.

(Kashful Yaqeen Fee Imrate Ameeril Momeneen (a.s.), p.  89 -91)

• The holy persona of Ameerul Momeneen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.)

In some Ziyaraat, the Holy Persona of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) has been remembered as ‘Sedratul Muntaha’. For instance, a ziyarat of Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) has been narrated from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) which reads

“Salutations upon the tree of ‘Tooba’ and ‘Sedratul Muntaha’.”

 (Behaar al-Anwaar, v.100, p. 306 narrating from Misbah Al Zaaer, p. 77 – 78) 

This is the reason that Imam Husain (a.s.) has been remembered as the son of ‘Sedratul Muntaha’ in Ziyarat-e-Naahiyah.

• Ahle Bait (a.s.) are ‘Sedratul Muntaha’ Personified

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) was asked about ‘Sedratul Muntaha’. He (a.s.) replied:

Its roots are firm and strong and its branches are in skies. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is its root, Imam Ali (a.s.) is its trunk, Janabe Zahra (s.a.) is its branch. The Imams are its different branches. Our Shias and our followers are its leaves.

The narrator said: May my life be sacrificed upon you! What does ‘Muntaha’ refer to? Imam (a.s.) said:

By Allah, this is the pinnacle of religion (i.e. Ahle Bait (a.s.) are the perfection of religion). One who is not from this tree is neither a believer nor our Shia.

(Behaar al-Anwaar, v. 24, P.  139 narrating from Basaer Al Darajaat)

• ‘Sedratul Muntaha’ Craves for the Leader of the Pious – Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.)

A tradition is narrated from Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.a.) that:

“When I was taken to the sky and I reached ‘Sedratul Muntaha’, a concentrated fragrance emanated and a strong wind blew from its trunk. I asked Hazrat Jibrael: What is this? He replied:

“This is ‘Sedratul Muntaha’. When it saw you it craved for your cousin.”  

At that time, I heard a caller calling from the side of Allah: Muhammad is the greatest among the Prophets and the Messengers. Ameerul Momeneen Ali Ibn Abi Taalib is the most excellent among the successors and those who possess the mastership and love of Ali are the best among the creatures …”

(Tafseer-e-Furaat Ibn Ibrahim Kufi, p. 219)

• The Cure for Grief and Sorrow of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

It is observed in traditions that whenever Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was aggrieved and sorrowful, Hazrat Jibrael  brought some leaves from ‘Sedratul Muntaha’. He then washed the head of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) with it. This healed his grief and sorrow.

Therefore, it is very much emphasized in traditions to wash the head with leaves of lote tree so that one is saved from the whisperings of Shaitan for seventy days.

 (Behaar al-Anwaar, v. 76, p.87)

• Writings on ‘Sedratul Muntaha’

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informs, “When I reached ‘Sedratul Muntaha’ I saw the following written on it:

I am Allah, there is no god except Me and I am One and Alone. Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) is the chosen one from My creatures. I have helped him through his Vizier.

I (Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)) asked: Who is my Vizier? I was told: Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.). When I passed ‘Sedratul Muntaha’ I reached the Throne of Allah the High.

(Khesaal, The Chapter of Four)