17. Surah al-Isra'
This is 50th Surah according to the order of revelation. This is a Makki Surah revealed after the events of Isra' and Mi'raj, which took place about a year and a half before the Hijrah. The Surah has
111 verses and 12 sections.
This Surah concentrates on some important moral and spiritual principles. It emphasizes that human beings always need divine guidance. Without the guidance of Allah, humans end up in evil, sin and misery. Human beings must have good relations with each other and live in a society built on the principles of faith, justice and morality. The Surah talks about the evils of pride and arrogance and urges human beings to reflect on Allah's signs and be humble before Him in prayers.
Introduction to the Sections
- Isra' journey of the Prophet to Jerusalem and the history of that area.
- Human beings are hasty. Reward and punishment all have their time.
- Moral and spiritual principles are emphasized - Worship of Allah and respect of parents.
- Moral principles - children's rights, decency, right of life, orphans' property, honesty in dealings, humbleness.
- Tawhid is the basic message of the Qur'an.
- Gentleness is enjoined.
- Satan's pride against man and his pledge to mislead human beings.
- Every one will be brought on the Day of Judgement with his/her own deeds.
- Emphasis on prayers, and on the reading of the Qur'an.
- The Qur'an is inimitable.
- Non-believers have lame arguments against accepting the Prophets.
- The attitude of Pharaoh towards Prophet Moses and the signs that he showed.