FAISALABAD - The Miraj Sharif or Spiritual Ascension took place on 27 of Rajab. In Faisalabad the houses and streets, especially the mosques were decorated with colourful pennants and bunting, and at night they were well illuminated by means of electric lights, candles or even oil lamps. As evening approaches the worshippers assemble in the mosques and engage themselves in glorifying the Lord and in hymns in His praise and in praise of the Holy Prophet in the city. Public meetings were also held generally after Isha Prayer in larger mosques of Faisalabad where speakers threw light on the spiritual status of the Holy Prophet, and various aspects of his life. The story of his spiritual ascension was narrated in detail. After the meetings sweets were distributed. Muslims of means give money in charity and also distribute food among the poor. The devoted ones spend the whole night in the remembrance of God. In different mosques of the city Ulema while highlighting the Shab-e-Miraj means the night of Ascent said that It is the blessed night when the Holy Prophet of Islam was spiritually transported to heaven and he reached a high stage of nearness to God Almighty which is beyond ordinary human comprehension. They said that the Ascent took place on 27th day or Rajab, 2 years before Hijra. The journey was not with a physical body but was a vision of the highest type. They mentioned that on the way the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, met Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and some other Prophets. The purpose of the Ascent was to confirm the high status of the Prophet of Islam, a position which all Muslims believe, is impossible to attain by any other human being. Ulema told that it is related that even Gabriel, the Angel who was accompanying the Holy Prophet remarked at one stage, 'I am forced to stop here. I cannot go any further, but you O Messenger of peace and friend of the Master of the worlds, continue your glorious ascent. Ulema Akram of different mosques of the city further informed that it is also related that the Holy Prophet continued his journey until he reached very close to the Throne of God Almighty and attained the utmost nearness to Him. After having drunk fully at the Divine fountain of spiritual knowledge he came down to impart the knowledge to mankind. They said that it was on this journey, that five daily prayers were made obligatory upon Muslims. They preached Muslims to offer five prayers daily and follow the preaching of Holy Prophet and Quran.