Al-Isra (ٱلْإِسْرَاء)

Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey), also known as Surah Bani Israel (The Children of Israel), is the 17th chapter of the Quran. Its name is derived from the first verse, which references the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from Mecca to Jerusalem, "Glory to Him Who made His servant travel by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing." The surah is present in the 8th Juz (Para) and comprises 111 verses (ayah) divided into 12 Ruku (sections). It follows Surah An-Nahl and precedes Surah Al-Kahf. Scholars generally agree that Surah Al-Isra is a Makki Surah, revealed during the Prophet's (ﷺ) time in Mecca.

The historical context of Surah Al-Isra is that it was revealed during a period when the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions were in great hardship and suffering in Makkah, as the Quraysh tribe had become even more aggressive in their persecution of the Muslims. It came shortly after the major event of Isra and Miraj, which gave the Prophet (ﷺ) spiritual sustenance during this challenging time. The surah focuses on the problems that the first Muslim community faced and gives them encouragement and advice on how to stand the ordeal.

١٧ - ٱلْإِسْرَاء

17 - Al-Isra

سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْۗ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِہٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَہٗ لِنُرِيَہٗ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَا۝۰ۭ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَالسَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ۝۱
Subhana allathee asra biAAabdihi laylan mina almasjidi alharami ila almasjidi alaqsa allathee barakna hawlahu linuriyahu min ayatina innahu huwa alssameeAAu albaseeru

English

Ahmed Ali

GLORY TO HIM who took His votary to a wide and open land from the Sacred Mosque (at Makkah) to the distant Mosque whose precincts We have blessed, that We may show him some of Our signs. Verily He is all-hearing and all-seeing.

1

المنزل الرابع

جزء

١٥

وَاٰتَيْنَا مُوْسَي الْكِتٰبَ وَجَعَلْنٰہُ ہُدًى لِّبَنِيْۗ اِسْرَاۗءِيْلَ اَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِيْ ‎وَكِيْلًا۝۲ۭ
Waatayna moosa alkitaba wajaAAalnahu hudan libanee israeela alla tattakhithoo min doonee wakeelan

English

Ahmed Ali

We gave Moses the Book, and made it a guidance for the children of Israel that they should not take another protector apart from Me.

2

ذُرِّيَّــۃَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوْحٍ۝۰ۭ اِنَّہٗ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُوْرًا۝۳
Thurriyyata man hamalna maAAa noohin innahu kana AAabdan shakooran

English

Ahmed Ali

O you, the offspring of those We bore (in the ark) with Noah, he was indeed a grateful votary.

3

وَقَضَيْنَاۗ اِلٰى بَنِيْۗ اِسْرَاۗءِيْلَ فِي الْكِتٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِي الْاَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيْرًا۝۴
Waqadayna ila banee israeela fee alkitabi latufsidunna fee alardi marratayni walataAAlunna AAuluwwan kabeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

We announced to the children of Israel in the Book: "You will surely create disorder twice in the land, and become exceedingly arrogant."

4

فَاِذَا جَاۗءَ وَعْدُ اُوْلٰىہُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَاۗ اُولِيْ بَاْسٍ شَدِيْدٍ فَجَاسُوْا خِلٰلَ الدِّيَارِ۝۰ۭ وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُوْلًا۝۵
Faitha jaa waAAdu oolahuma baAAathna AAalaykum AAibadan lana olee basin shadeedin fajasoo khilala alddiyari wakana waAAdan mafAAoolan

English

Ahmed Ali

So, when the time of the first prediction came, We sent against you Our creatures full of martial might, who ransacked your cities; and the prediction was fulfilled.

5

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ الْكَرَّۃَ عَلَيْہِمْ وَاَمْدَدْنٰكُمْ بِاَمْوَالٍ وَّبَنِيْنَ وَجَعَلْنٰكُمْ اَكْثَرَ نَفِيْرًا۝۶
Thumma radadna lakumu alkarrata AAalayhim waamdadnakum biamwalin wabaneena wajaAAalnakum akthara nafeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

Then We gave you a chance against them, and strengthened you with wealth and children, and increased your numbers (and said):

6

اِنْ اَحْسَنْتُمْ اَحْسَنْتُمْ لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ۝۰ۣ وَاِنْ اَسَاْتُمْ فَلَہَا۝۰ۭ فَاِذَا جَاۗءَ وَعْدُ الْاٰخِرَۃِ لِيَسُوْۗءٗا وُجُوْہَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ كَـمَا دَخَلُوْہُ اَوَّلَ مَرَّۃٍ وَّلِــيُتَبِّرُوْا مَا عَلَوْا تَتْبِيْرًا۝۷
In ahsantum ahsantum lianfusikum wain asatum falaha faitha jaa waAAdu alakhirati liyasoooo wujoohakum waliyadkhuloo almasjida kama dakhaloohu awwala marratin waliyutabbiroo ma AAalaw tatbeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

"If you do good, you will do so for your own good; if you do ill, you will do it for your own loss." So, when the time of the second prediction comes, (We shall rouse another people) to shame you, and enter the Temple as they had done the first time, and to destroy what they conquered utterly.

7

عَسٰي رَبُّكُمْ اَنْ يَّرْحَمَكُمْ۝۰ۚ وَاِنْ عُدْتُّمْ عُدْنَا۝۰ۘ وَجَعَلْنَا جَہَنَّمَ لِلْكٰفِرِيْنَ حَصِيْرًا۝۸
AAasa rabbukum an yarhamakum wain AAudtum AAudna wajaAAalna jahannama lilkafireena haseeran

English

Ahmed Ali

Your Lord may haply be merciful to you. But if you repeat it, We shall do the same. We have constituted Hell as prison for unbelievers.

8

اِنَّ ہٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ يَہْدِيْ لِلَّتِيْ ھِيَ اَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْمَلُوْنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ اَنَّ لَہُمْ اَجْرًا كَبِيْرًا۝۹ۙ
Inna hatha alqurana yahdee lillatee hiya aqwamu wayubashshiru almumineena allatheena yaAAmaloona alssalihati anna lahum ajran kabeeran

English

Ahmed Ali

Verily this Qur'an directs you to the path that is straight, and gives happy tidings to those who believe and do the right: For them is a great reward.

9

وَّاَنَّ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ اَعْتَدْنَا لَہُمْ عَذَابًا اَلِـــيْمًا۝۱۰ۧ
Waanna allatheena la yuminoona bialakhirati aAAtadna lahum AAathaban aleeman

English

Ahmed Ali

As for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have prepared a painful punishment.

10

The Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Isra (الْإِسْرَاء)

Surah Al-Isra delves into a rich tapestry of themes that offer solace, guidance, and reminders for the believers facing hardship. The key themes of the surah are discussed below: 

Divine Power and Oneness of God (Tawhid)

The verses in Surah Al-Isra invoke Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) glory and power over all the creation and then go on to reinforce the fact that everything is under His ownership (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). 

The Night Journey and Ascension (Isra and Miraj)

This surah narrates the Night Journey of the Prophet (ﷺ) from the al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to al-Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (verse 1). In the hadith of Sahih Bukhari Book 60 Hadith 240, Narrated by Ibn `Abbas: 'And We granted the vision (Ascension to the Heaven "Miraj") which We showed you (O Muhammad as an actual eye witness) but as a trial for mankind.' (17.60) It was an actual eyewitness which was shown to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) during the night he was taken on a journey (through the heavens). And the cursed tree is the tree of Az-Zaqqum (a bitter pungent tree which grows at the bottom of hell). The verses of Surah Isra refer to Prophet Muhammad's ascension to the heavens, where he witnessed the seven levels of heaven, hell, and Sidrat al-Muntaha. He became privy to a meeting with Allah Azzawajal and gained knowledge of the universe as per Allah's will. 

Moral Values and Social Guidance

The surah deals with the main tenets of Islam, which help to build a society that is righteous and equitable. These include treating parents with kindness (17:23), upholding justice (17:35), fulfilling one's promises and the rights of orphans (17:34), and avoiding arrogance (17:37). Following these values strengthens the Muslim community and promotes ethical conduct.

Patience and Perseverance

In hard times, the surah also calls the faithful to be patient in their faith (17:7). This message is empowering to those who experience persecution or personal trials in their life. 

Importance of Prayer

The Surah also stresses prayer as one of the five pillars of Islam (17:78) And focuses on the fact that prayer allows the believers to communicate with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and ask for His guidance.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Isra

There are many benefits and barakah in reciting Surah Al Isra. The miraculous night journey [Isra Miraj] of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is a reminder for the people that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has infinite power and grace. The surah gives strength and consolation to followers and lets them know that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is always on their side as pronounced in the Quranic verse 'And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out' (Quran: 65:2). In addition, Surah Al-Isra serves to pause society and make them remember to reflect on the signs of the creation of the Allah and also to be thankful for the guidance that has been given. 

As a Surah from the Quran, Surah Al-Isra also has spiritual effects and benefits concerning the life hereafter. Listening and especially recitation of the Quran, especially Surah Al-Isra is regarded to possess great virtue in this world as well as in the hereafter. The way of meditating on these strong verses and striving to put them into practice is a valuable way of getting to know Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and being ready for the gift of life eternal.