اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
اَعُوْذُبِااللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْم
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
*_A Brief introduction to Surah Al-Isra(Bani Israil)_*
Surah Al-Isra is the 17th surah (chapter) of The Glorious Quran. Name of the surah means *The Night Journey.* It has 111 Ayaat (verses) and was revealed in the holy city of Makkah i.e., before Prophet ﷺ migrated to the city of Medina. This surah can be found in juz / paara 15.
*This Surah takes its name (Bani Israil) from Ayah 4.* But this name is merely a distinctive appellation like the names of many other surahs and not a descriptive title, and does not mean that “Bani Isra’il” is the theme of this Surah.
*_Period of Revelation:_*
The very first Ayah indicates that this Surah was revealed on the occasion of *Miraaj (Ascension).* According to the Traditions and books on the life of the Noble Prophetﷺ, this event happened one year before Hijrah. Thus, this Surah is one of those which were revealed.
*_Theme and Topics:_*
This Surah is a wonderful combination of warning, admonition and instruction, which have been blended together in a balanced proportion.‼️ *The disbelievers of Makkah had been admonished to take a lesson from the miserable end of the Israelites and other communities and mend their ways within the period of respite given by Allāh Azzawajal, which was about to expire*. They should, therefore, accept the invitation that was being extended by Muḥammad ﷺ and the Qurʾān; otherwise they shall be annihilated and replaced by other people. *Incidentally, the Israelites, with whom Islam was going to come in direct contact in the near future at Al-Madinah have also been warned that they should learn a lesson from the chastisements that have already been inflicted on them.* _They were warned, “Take advantage of the Prophethood of Muḥammad ﷺ because that is the last opportunity which is being given to you. If even now you behave as you have been behaving, you shall meet with a painful torment_.
*_The Major Issues focussed in the Surah:_*
–Isra’ & Divine Commandments:
—Worship none but Allah
—Be kind and obedient to parents
—Give to relatives and the needy
—Do not be a miser or a spendthrift
–Do not kill your children for fear of poverty
—Do not commit adultery
—Do not slay without just cause
—Do not say anything without knowledge
—Do not walk arrogantly on earth
—Safeguard the property of orphans
—Allah Azzawajal does not beget children and those who say this, utter a monstrous lie.
—There is a life after death.
—The obligation of Five Daily Prayers and the prayer of Tahajjud (special late night prayer).
–Human Rasools are sent to human beings.
–Perform Salah in a voice which is neither too loud nor too soft.
*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability to ponder, reflect and take benefit from the Ayaat and gain HIS pleasure through our Obedience. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*
JazaK Allâhu khair!