Al-Isrâ' (Surah 17)
Al-Isrâ' (The Night Journey)
Makki SurahIntroduction
Since Abraham (ﷺ) is praised in the last verses of the previous sûrah as a role model for the world, this Meccan sûrah speaks of how the Prophet (ﷺ) is honoured in this world through the Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem then to the heavens and back to Mecca—all in one night (verses 1 and 60). He (ﷺ) will also be honoured on the Day of Judgment through the station of praise where he will make intercession (verse 79). The children of Israel are referred to passingly at the end of the previous sûrah, but more insights are given about them both at the beginning and the end of this sûrah. The key to success in this life and salvation in the next is encapsulated in a set of divine commandments (verses 22-39), along with a warning against Satan and his whispers (verses 61-65). The sûrah is critical of the pagan arguments against resurrection and their ridiculous demands (verses 89-93). Criticism of attributing partners and children to Allah is carried over to the next sûrah.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem
1. Glory be to the One Who took His servant (Muḥammad) by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing. 2. And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guide for the Children of Israel, (stating:) “Do not take besides Me any other Trustee of Affairs, 3. (O) descendants of those We carried with Noah (in the Ark)! He was indeed a grateful servant.”
Surah 17 - Al-Isrâ' (The Night Journey) - Verses 1-3
Warning to the Israelites
4. And We warned the Children of Israel in the Scripture, “You will certainly cause corruption in the land twice, and you will become extremely arrogant.
Surah 17 - Al-Isrâ' (The Night Journey) - Verses 4-4
The Two Corruptions
5. “When the first of the two warnings would come to pass, We would send against you some of Our servants of great might, who would ravage your homes. This would be a warning fulfilled. 6. Then (after your repentance) We would give you the upper hand over them and aid you with wealth and offspring, causing you to outnumber them. 7. If you act rightly, it is for your own good, but if you do wrong, it is to your own loss. And when the second warning would come to pass, your enemies would (be left to) totally disgrace you and enter the Temple (of Jerusalem) as they entered it the first time, and utterly destroy whatever would fall into their hands. 8. Perhaps your Lord will have mercy on you (if you repent), but if you return (to sin), We will return (to punishment). And We have made Hell a (permanent) confinement for the disbelievers.”
Surah 17 - Al-Isrâ' (The Night Journey) - Verses 5-8
The Message of the Quran
9. Surely this Quran guides to what is most upright, and gives good news to the believers—who do good—that they will have a mighty reward. 10. And (it warns) those who do not believe in the Hereafter (that) We have prepared for them a painful punishment.