View source for Al-Isra'

{{short description|17th chapter of the Qur'an}}
{{about|the 17th chapter of the Quran|Muhammad's night journey|Isra' and Mi'raj}}
{{Religious text primary|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox Sura
|Name_of_Surah      = Al-Isra
|Arabic_name        = الإسراء
|Screenshot_of_Surah=
|Caption            = The Night Journey
|Classification     = [[Makkan sura|Makkan]]
|Meaning_of_the_name= The Night Journey 
|Time_of_revelation = 7th Century
|Sura_number        =17
|Number_of_verses   =111
|Juz'_number        =15
|Hizb_number        =29 to 30
|Number_of_Rukus    =12
|Number_of_sajdahs  =1 (verse 107)
|Number_of_words    =1558
|Number_of_letters  =6643
|Harf-e-Mukatta'at  =
|Subjectwise_ayat   =
|Previous_Sura      =Quran 16
|Next_Sura          =Quran 18
|sound              = Chapter 17, Al-Isra (Murattal) - Recitation of the Holy Qur'an.mp3
|sound_title        =
}}
{{Quran}}
[[File:Folio from a Qur’an, sura 17,34-44 (S1997.101).jpg|thumb|right|Qur'an page with Al-Isra verses 34-44; a later interlinear Persian translation is in red. [[Delhi Sultanate]], India late 14th-15th century.]]

'''Al-Isra'ʾ''' ({{langx|ar|الإسراء|lit=The Night Journey}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isra' {{!}} Meaning, Islam, & Significance {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Isra |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> also known as '''Banī Isrāʾīl''' ({{langx|ar|بني إسرائيل|lit=The Children of Israel}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soorat al-Isra' is also called Soorat Bani Isra'eel - Islam Question & Answer |url=https://islamqa.info/en/answers/163112/soorat-al-isra-is-also-called-soorat-bani-israeel |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=islamqa.info |language=en}}</ref> is the [[List of chapters in the Quran|17th chapter]] ([[sūrah]]) of the [[Quran]], with 111 verses ([[āyāt]]). The word {{transliteration|ar|Isra'}} refers to the [[night journey|Night Journey]] of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]] and about the [[Children of Israel]]. This [[Surah|surāh]] is part of a series [[al-Musabbihat]] surahs because it begins with the glorification of [[God in Islam|God]].

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (''[[asbāb al-nuzūl]]''), it is traditionally believed to be a [[Meccan surah]], from the second Meccan period (615-619).

==Summary==
*'''1'''  God praised for the [[Isra' and Mi'raj|night journey]]
*'''2''' The [[law of Moses]] a direction to the Israelites
*'''3''' [[Noah in Islam|Noah]]’s gratitude commended to his posterity
*'''4-8''' The Islamic invention {{Dubious|date=April 2025}} of the double [[sin of Israel]] and its punishment
*'''9-10''' The Quran a direction to both the [[faithful in Islam|faithful]] and the [[unbelievers in Islam|unbelievers]]
*'''11'''  Men inconsiderate in their [[Salah|prayers]]
*'''12'''  The night and day are signs to men
*'''13'''  Every man’s [[predestination in Islam|fate]] bound about his neck
*'''14-15''' God will give every man the record of his life at the judgment day
*'''16'''  No nation left without an apostle
*'''17-18''' The cities destroyed which rejected their apostles
*'''19-21''' Rewards and punishments of the faithful and unbelieving
*'''22'''  Degrees of honour belong to the life to come
*'''23-24''' Men should worship only one God
*'''24-26''' Kindness to be shown to parents, the poor, and the stranger
*'''27''' Extravagance forbidden
*'''28''' Those unable to contribute for the support of the poor may help them by speaking kindly to them
*'''32'''  Stinginess and foolish extravagance forbidden
*'''33-35''' Infanticide, fornication, and murder forbidden
*'''35'''  The murdered man to be avenged
*'''36'''  The substance of the orphan to be sacredly preserved
*'''37'''  Men should lead lives of honesty and humility
*'''41'''  God not to be dishonoured by idol-worship
*'''42'''  Angels not daughters of God
*'''43'''  Various warnings for the Quraish
*'''44-45'''  A plurality of gods would lead to rebellion in heaven
*'''46'''  All things praise God
*'''47-49'''  The [[Quraish]] are judicially blinded to the Quran
*'''50'''  Muhammad called a madman
*'''51-53'''  The Quraish reject the doctrine of [[resurrection in Islam|the resurrection]]
*'''54'''  The dead when raised will fancy they have been dead but a little while
*'''55-56'''  Idolaters and unbelievers to be mildly treated
*'''57'''  Some prophets peculiarly favoured
*'''58-59'''  The false gods need divine protection
*'''60'''  Every city to be destroyed before the judgment-day
*'''61'''  Muhammad not allowed to work miracles because of the unbelief of former tribes
*'''62'''  [[The night-journey]] and the [[Zakkum tree]] causes of contention
*'''63-64'''  [[Iblís]] disobeys God, and is cursed in consequence
*'''65-66''' He receives permission to delude humans and share with them their money and offspring 
*'''67'''  He shall have no power over God’s servants
*'''68'''  God protects the merchant while on the sea
*'''69''' Idolaters forget their idols in times of danger '''69 [[۞]] 71'''  They are ungrateful
*'''72'''  The special privileges of mankind
*'''73-74''' In the judgment all shall be fairly judged
*'''75-77'''  Muhammad almost seduced from Islam
*'''78-79'''  The unbelievers almost persuade Muhammad to leave them
*'''80-82'''  Exhortation to prayer
*'''83-84'''  The truth of the Quran to be proclaimed
*'''85''' Man’s perversity seen both in prosperity and adversity
*'''86'''  The spirit created of God
*'''87-89'''  Revelation (inspiration) a peculiar favour from God to Muhammad
*'''90'''  Men and genii could not produce a book like the Quran
*'''91-95'''  Muhammad excuses his inability to work miracles
*'''96-98'''  Men appointed messengers for men and angels for angels
*'''99-100''' The dreadful fate of the idolaters at the resurrection
*'''101'''  God is able to raise the dead
*'''102'''  Man covetous even in respect to [[Mercy#Islam|God’s mercy]]
*'''103-104'''  The nine signs of Moses fail to convince Pharaoh
*'''105'''  Pharaoh destroyed
*'''106'''  The children of Israel succeed Pharaoh in his possession of the land of Egypt
*'''107'''  Why the Quran was revealed in stages
*'''108 [[۩]] 109'''  Some [[Jews and Christians in Islam|Jews and Christians]] believe on the Quran
*'''110'''  God and the Merciful the same
*'''111'''  God hath neither son nor partner <ref>{{cite book |last1=Wherry |first1=Elwood Morris |author1-link=Elwood Morris Wherry |title=A Complete Index to [[Sale's Text]], Preliminary Discourse, and Notes |date=1896 |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co |location=London}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

==Exegesis==
=== 1 The transportation of Muhammad to "the farthest Mosque". ===
{{main|Isra and Mi'raj}}
[[File:مدرسه نیم آورد (cropped-01).jpg|350px|thumb|Al-Isra, Ayahs of 78 and 79 on top of [[Nimavar school|Nimavard madrasa]]'s entrance tilling, Isfahan, Iran.]]
This surah takes its name from the first verse which, in [[Hadith|Islamic tradition]], tells the event of the [[Isra' and Mi'raj|Isra]], the transportation of [[Muhammad]] during the night from the [[Great Mosque of Mecca]] to what is referred to as "the farthest Mosque"."  The exact location is  specified in the Quran  in Arabic words
أَسۡرَىٰ بِعَبۡدِهِۦ لَيۡلٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡأَقۡصَا <ref>{{Cite book|title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir Juz' 15 (Part 15): Al-Israa (or Bani Isra'il) 1 to Al-Kahf 74|last=Ibn Kathir|pages=10|quote=al-Masjid al Aqsa is also  the sacred house which is in Jerusalem}}</ref> but this is commonly taken to  Noble Sanctuary  ([[Temple Mount]]) in [[Jerusalem]]. Some scholars disagree about this (see [[Isra and Mi'raj]]) lively . While the city of Jerusalem (or al Quds) is not mentioned by name anywhere in the Qur'an, the first verse refers to Mohammed being taken from the '[[Masjid al-Haram|Masjid ul-harram]]' to the 'Masjid al-Aqsa':

{{Quotation|Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We (''[[God in Islam|God]]'') did bless,- so that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).}}

Within Islam, it is generally agreed upon that the 'Farthest Mosque' refers to [[Al-Aqsa Mosque|Masjid al-Aqsa]] (i.e. the Temple Mount) in [[Jerusalem]] and the 'Sacred Mosque' refers to [[Great Mosque of Mecca|Masjid al-Haram]]. The surah also refers to the other prophets, for example, [[Moses in Islam|Musa]] ([[Moses]]).

This Meccan surah was revealed in the last year before the [[Hegira|Hijra]]. Like all the Meccan surah, it stresses the [[Tawhid|oneness of Allah]], the authority of the prophets. However, the primary theme of the surah is [[salah]] (daily prayers), whose number is said to have been fixed at five during the Miraj which it alludes to. In addition, the surah forbids adultery, calls for respect for father and mother, and calls for patience and control in the face of the persecutions the Muslim community was facing at the time.

=== 8 Hell ===
Verse 17:8 refers to [[Hell in Islam|hell]] and states that those who reject the faith will be punished:

{{Quotation|It may be that your Lord may (yet) show Mercy unto you; but if ye revert (to your sins), We shall revert (to Our punishments): And we have made Hell a prison for those who reject (all Faith).}}

However, it also states that Allah is merciful and could forgive.

It also refers to the hereafter and states that there is a punishment for not believing in it (Verse 7:10):

{{Quotation|And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announceth) that We have prepared for them a Penalty Grievous (indeed).}}

=== 13-15 Day of Judgement ===
Verses 17:13 to 17:15 tells that [[fate]] is in people's hands and tells that what they do will be rewarded or punished for on the [[Day of Judgement in Islam|Day of Judgement]].

{{Quotation|Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee." Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent a Messenger (to give warning).}}

=== 26  Verse of Dhul Qurba ===
{{Main|Al-Isra, 26}}
{{quote|17:26  And give to the kinsman his due, and to the Miskin (poor), and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.<ref name = "Quran 4 U">{{cite web|url=http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/017%20Isra.htm  |title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Isra|work=Quran 4 U|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>{{rp|17:26}}}}  
The verse relates to the controversies of the land of [[Fadak]] in modern-day Saudi Arabia.<ref>[[Dur al-Manthur]] [http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/fadak/tafseer_dur_almanthur_v4_p177.jpg Vol. 4, page 177] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013047/http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/fadak/tafseer_dur_almanthur_v4_p177.jpg |date=2007-09-27 }}</ref><ref>[http://al-islam.org/quran/process.asp?tArabic=on&tShakir=on&tAliCommentary=on&Sura=17&SavedSura=1&fAya=1&tAya=111&searchText=&arabicdisplay=windows Quran (puya) on Al-Islam.org]</ref>

=== 64 Satan’s influence on humankind ===
{{Quotation| and incite whoever you can of them with your voice, mobilize against them all your cavalry and infantry, share with them their wealth and children, and make them promises.” But Satan promises them nothing but delusion.}}

This verse explains different methods Satan uses to corrupt souls—while making it clear that his power is only over those who choose to follow him. Satan influences humankind in how they earn and spend money, and in how they even conceive—their children. Some scholars also suggest it may imply that Satan has a share in corrupting human offspring, spiritually or morally. Thus, “participation” means spiritual or moral corruption. This can occur when children are fed with wealth earned through haram (unlawful) means—such as stolen goods or resources unjustly taken from others, including exploited people or nations.  

=== 70 Angels & jinn - the other two main creations beside Humans (one with freewill and the former without) ===
[[۞]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://quran.com/17/70-80|title = Surah Al-Isra - 70-80}}</ref> Verse 17:70 tells that mankind has been given a position "above many of those whom we created" angels and jinns.

=== 71 Day of Judgement ===
Verse 17:71 contains a reference to [[Yawm al-Qiyamah]], the Day of Judgement:
{{Quotation|One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.}}
In [[Kitab al-Kafi]], Imam [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]] was questioned on the interpretation of 17:71 ("On that day, We will call forth every people with their Imam...") to which he responded it is the Imam that is with them and he is the [[Mahdi]], al-Qa'im of the people of that time.<ref name="Kulayni">{{cite book |last1=Al-Kulayni |first1=Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub |title=Kitab al-Kafi |date=2015 |publisher=The Islamic Seminary Inc. |location=South Huntington, NY |isbn=9780991430864 }}</ref>
=== 81: Muhammad destroys the Arabian idols ===
In the day of conquesting Makkah, Muhammad made his way towards the Kaaba which is seen as a symbol of the Oneness of Allah. It was filled with [[Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia|idols]], numbering 360.<ref name="Al-Mubarakpuri"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahih al-Bukhari 4287 – Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi) – كتاب المغازى – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) |url=https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4287 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=sunnah.com}}</ref> He proceeded to knock them down using his bow while reciting the verse from the [[Quran|Qur'an]]:<blockquote>"And say: 'The truth has come, and falsehood has vanished away; surely falsehood is ever certain to vanish." (Qur'an 17:81)<ref name="Al-Mubarakpuri"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Quranic Arabic Corpus – Translation |url=https://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=17&verse=81 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=corpus.quran.com}}</ref></blockquote>This act was significant as it symbolized the removal of polytheistic practices and the reclaiming of the Kaaba for the worship of Allah alone, in line with the teachings of Islam. This event is considered a major milestone in the establishment of the [[Islam|Islamic faith]] and the spread of [[monotheism]].

Muhammad began the usual circumambulation on his ride, and after completing the circumambulation, he called for 'Uthman ibn Talha, the key holder of the Kaaba, and took the key from him. He entered the Kaaba and observed images of the prophets [[Abraham in Islam|Abraham]] and [[Ishmael in Islam|Ishmael]], throwing divination arrows. He strongly denounced these practices of the Quraysh and ordered that all idols, images and effigies be destroyed.<ref name="Al-Mubarakpuri"/>

=== 104 Children of Israel ===
Verse 17:104 'And We said thereafter unto the [[Children of Israel]], “Dwell in the land. And when the promise of the [[Hereafter in Islam|Hereafter]] comes to pass, We shall bring you as a mixed assembly.”'<ref name=SQMMD>{{cite book |last1=Dakake|first1=Maria Massi |author1-link=Maria Massi Dakake|title=17, The Night Journey, al-Isrāʾ [[The Study Quran]]  |date=April 2015|publisher= [[HarperOne]]|location=San Francisco}}</ref>

[[Al-Tabari]] (d.923) suggested this referred to the Israelites' settlement in the [[Palestine region]] or [[Canaan]]. [[Al-Zamakhshari]] (d. 1144) suggested this referred to Egypt devoid of [[Pharaoh in Islam|Pharaoh]]. [[Al-Qurtubi]] (d. 1272) suggested both.<ref name=SQMMD/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[https://quran.com/17 Quran 17] – [[Clear Quran translation]]
*[https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/17/104/ Q17:104], 50+ translations, at ''islamawakened.com''.

{{Sura|17|[[An-Nahl]]|[[Al-Kahf]]}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Al-Isra| ]]
[[Category:Islam and Judaism]]
[[Category:Chapters in the Quran|Isra]]
[[Category:Satan in religious literature|Isra]]