Juz 15
Al-Israa'/Bani Isra'iel
This Makkan surah deals with the israa' / night journey of Prophet Muhammad, the history of the Bani Isra'iel /Jewish people, since it was revealed just prior to the Prophet's migration to Madinah, it lays down commandments for an ethical social life of the community soon to be established in Madinah.
- Reference to the mystic israa'/night journey of Prophet Muhammad (1-2), the mission of Prophet Moses and how some of his followers suffered loss and punishment due to their corruption (3-8)
- The Qur'an leads to what is most upright (9)
- Reflect on the nature of time and the alternation of night and day (12), note that each person will is responsible for his/her choice of deeds and will be held individually accountable (13-15)
- The Qur'an explains the truth in a variety of ways (41) and despite being opposed and challenged by its detractors (42-46), it invites to the highest standard of ethics and the virtues essential for the spiritual and moral growth of the individual and of society. A series of commandments follow ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶.
- worship Allah
- respect parents
- give your family and the poor their due
- be nor extravagant
- be neither stingy nor a spendthrift
- kill not your offspring for fear of poverty
- approach not adultery
- take no life without just cause
- usurp not the property of orphans
- be fair in your economic dealings
- do not respond out of ignorance
- be not arrogant
- never equate any one or any thing with Allah. (23-40)
- The Believers are provided with guidelines in interacting with the Prophet (53-55) and the discord and deviancy of the Disbelievers is mentioned (41-52)(56-57)(73-77)
- Reference to the arrogance of the first rejector, Iblis (61-65)
- The ingratitude of people are highlighted (66-72) as well as the favors of Allah, especially to human beings; we have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of our creation(70).
- Establishment of salaah /prayer, worship and the superceding of baatil /falsehood by haqq /truth (78-81) is mentioned, response to the question regarding the ruh /soul, as well as the fact that the Qur'an is a source of shifa '/healing and a work of literature and scripture that is inimitable (82-89). Detractors still demand miracles just as the people of Moses did and see what was the end of those who fought Moses (101-104)
- The Qur'an is the truth revealed in a manner that is easy for humans to comprehend and implement (105-106), so call upon Allah the Compassionate, to whom belongs the asmaa'-ul-husna /most beautiful names. Allah is neither a son nor a father, so glorify Him with due glorification
There are four primary discourses in this Makkan surah and the first three pertain to incidents in Judaeo-Christian history.After praising Allah and announcing the mission of the Prophet there follows a warning about the consequence of disbelief and wrongdoing.
Discourse 1: The story of the ashab-ul-Kahf /People of the Cave
- the story of young, faithful Christian people who were persecuted for their faith [according to some sources by the Roman king Decius around 250 CE] and Allah provided them safety as they stayed in a cave for a long time. Freedom eventually came after the Roman Empire 's adoption of Christianity under Theodosius II around 445 CE. (9-26)
Discourse 2: Incident of Prophet Moses and the unnamed teacher
- the encounter of Prophet Moses with an unnamed teacher [some traditions name him Khidr, others name him Joshua son of Nun.] and the lessons he learnt. (60-82)
Discourse 3: Story of the just ruler Dhul Qarnayn
- the rulership of Dhul-Qarnayn , a righteous person; some say it was Cyrus the Persian king, some say it was Alexander the Great, and his encounter with the people Yajuj and Majuj /God and Magog. (83-101)
Discourse 4: Evaluation of deeds and beliefs
- contra-distinction between the result of the efforts of the righteous Believers who follow the inexhaustible guidance as well as the Prophet who conveyed it, and those disbelieving ones whose deeds result in futility (102-110)
Three key points to reflect on in this surah:
- Seek solace in connection with the Divine and remember that accepting or rejecting truth is dependant on our choice, but be prepared to bear the consequence of your choice. - And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Countenance; and let not your eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart have been made to incline towards neglecting the remembrance of Allah, who follow lowly desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds. The truth is from your Allah: Let him who choose believe, and let him who choose disbelieve. (28-29)
- Life is but a fleeting vanity that serves as a test of deeds. - Set forth for them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stubble, which the winds do scatter: it is only Allah who prevails over all things. Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world, but the things that endure are good deeds. This (good deeds) is best in the sight of thy Lord, as worthy of reward and best as the foundation for hopes. (45-46)
- Know what you engage in, for what purpose and towards what end - Say: "Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?( 102-103)