Tag Archives: izra wal miraj

Quiza: Maguindanaon Religious Stories

Religious quiza are stories written in Arabic, and are used by the imam to teach Islam to children. An example is the “Izra-wal-Miraj,” which tells the story of why Muslims pray five times a day.

The Prophet Muhammad is awakened one night by the angel Diaba-rail. The Prophet then rides on a burrak and travels to Masjid-el-Agsa in Jerusalem, where he sees a bright light that leads to heaven. Each layer of heaven has a different color. On the seventh layer, he hears the voice of God, and sees heaven and hell. On the way down, he is instructed by Moses to ask God that the number of prayers be reduced from 50 to 5 times daily. His request is granted.

PHOTO TO BE POSTED SOON. The book is very old and only few Maguindanaons have this kind of book. We are fortunate to have one.