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Surah 17 · Meccan · 111 Verses

الإسراء

SURAH AL-ISRA

The Night Journey

Verses 1–50Page 1 of 2

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

1

سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ

Exalted722 is He who took His Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] by night from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām to al-Masjid al-Aqṣā,723 whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing,724 the Seeing.725

  1. [722] Above any imperfection or failure to do as He wills. ↩
  2. [723] In Jerusalem. ↩
  3. [724] Who hears every sound, distinguishes every voice, understands every word, and accepts and responds to supplications. ↩
  4. [725] Who sees and understands all things apparent and unapparent, visible and invisible. ↩

2

وَءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًۭى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن دُونِى وَكِيلًۭا

And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,726

  1. [726] i.e., trust in Allāh, knowing that He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) is responsible for every occurrence. ↩

3

ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَبْدًۭا شَكُورًۭا

O descendants of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah. Indeed, he was a grateful servant.

4

وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا

And We conveyed727 to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."

  1. [727] Foretold out of divine knowledge of what they would do. ↩

5

فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًۭا لَّنَآ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ فَجَاسُوا۟ خِلَٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًۭا مَّفْعُولًۭا

So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them,728 We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes,729 and it was a promise fulfilled.

  1. [728] i.e., the promised punishment for the first of their two transgressions. ↩
  2. [729] Violating their sanctity, to kill and plunder. ↩

6

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَٰكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا

Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.

7

إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لِيَسُۥٓـُٔوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا۟ مَا عَلَوْا۟ تَتْبِيرًا

[And said], "If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to them [i.e., yourselves]." Then when the final [i.e., second] promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the masjid [i.e., the temple in Jerusalem], as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.

8

عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يَرْحَمَكُمْ ۚ وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا ۘ وَجَعَلْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ حَصِيرًا

[Then Allāh said], "It is expected, [if you repent], that your Lord will have mercy upon you. But if you return [to sin], We will return [to punishment]. And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed."

9

إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًۭا كَبِيرًۭا

Indeed, this Qur’ān guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward

10

وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا

And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.

11

وَيَدْعُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ بِٱلشَّرِّ دُعَآءَهُۥ بِٱلْخَيْرِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ عَجُولًۭا

And man supplicates for evil [when angry] as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty.730

  1. [730] i.e., impatient, emotional, and acting without forethought. ↩

12

وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةًۭ لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ فَصَّلْنَٰهُ تَفْصِيلًۭا

And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible731 that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.

  1. [731] Or "giving sight." ↩

13

وَكُلَّ إِنسَٰنٍ أَلْزَمْنَٰهُ طَٰٓئِرَهُۥ فِى عُنُقِهِۦ ۖ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ كِتَٰبًۭا يَلْقَىٰهُ مَنشُورًا

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck,732 and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.

  1. [732] i.e., after having instructed him, We have made him responsible for his own destiny. ↩

14

ٱقْرَأْ كِتَٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًۭا

[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant."

15

مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًۭا

Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.

16

وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَٰهَا تَدْمِيرًۭا

And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent733 but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e., deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.

  1. [733] To obey Allāh. ↩

17

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ نُوحٍۢ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

And how many have We destroyed from the generations after Noah. And sufficient is your Lord, concerning the sins of His servants, as Aware and Seeing.

18

مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَىٰهَا مَذْمُومًۭا مَّدْحُورًۭا

Whoever should desire the immediate734 - We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.

  1. [734] i.e., worldly gratifications. ↩

19

وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًۭا

But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allāh].

20

كُلًّۭا نُّمِدُّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا

To each [category] We extend - to these and to those - from the gift of your Lord. And never has the gift of your Lord been restricted.

21

ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَلَلْءَاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَٰتٍۢ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًۭا

Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.

22

لَّا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًۭا مَّخْذُولًۭا

Do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity and [thereby] become censured and forsaken.

23

۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا

And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff,"735 and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

  1. [735] An expression of disapproval or irritation. ↩

24

وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًۭا

And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."

25

رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِى نُفُوسِكُمْ ۚ إِن تَكُونُوا۟ صَٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّٰبِينَ غَفُورًۭا

Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving.736

  1. [736] For those who intend righteousness, hastening to repent from sins and errors committed through human weakness, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) promises forgiveness. ↩

26

وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.737

  1. [737] i.e., on that which is unlawful or in disobedience to Allāh. ↩

27

إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًۭا

Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

28

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّيْسُورًۭا

And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect,738 then speak to them a gentle word.

  1. [738] i.e., if you have not the means to give them at present. ↩

29

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ ٱلْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًۭا مَّحْسُورًا

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck739 or extend it completely740 and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

  1. [739] i.e., refusing to spend. ↩
  2. [740] i.e., being extravagant. ↩

30

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing.

31

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْـًۭٔا كَبِيرًۭا

And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.

32

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse.741 Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

  1. [741] i.e., avoid all situations that might possibly lead to it. ↩

33

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًۭا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَٰنًۭا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًۭا

And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right.742 And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority,743 but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].

  1. [742] i.e., through legal justice or during jihād. ↩
  2. [743] Grounds for legal action. ↩

34

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْـُٔولًۭا

And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best,744 until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

  1. [744] i.e., to improve or increase it. ↩

35

وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ إِذَا كِلْتُمْ وَزِنُوا۟ بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًۭا

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even [i.e., honest] balance. That is the best [way] and best in result.

36

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا

And do not pursue745 that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

  1. [745] i.e., do not assume and do not say. ↩

37

وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولًۭا

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.746

  1. [746] Man, for all his arrogance, is yet a weak and small creature. ↩

38

كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ كَانَ سَيِّئُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّكَ مَكْرُوهًۭا

All that [i.e., the aforementioned] - its evil is ever, in the sight of your Lord, detested.

39

ذَٰلِكَ مِمَّآ أَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ رَبُّكَ مِنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۗ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتُلْقَىٰ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومًۭا مَّدْحُورًا

That is from what your Lord has revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], of wisdom. And, [O mankind], do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and banished.

40

أَفَأَصْفَىٰكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِٱلْبَنِينَ وَٱتَّخَذَ مِنَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنَٰثًا ۚ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَقُولُونَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًۭا

Then, has your Lord chosen you for [having] sons and taken [i.e., adopted] from among the angels daughters? Indeed, you say a grave saying.

41

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لِيَذَّكَّرُوا۟ وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًۭا

And We have certainly diversified [the contents] in this Qur’ān that they [i.e., mankind] may be reminded, but it does not increase them [i.e., the disbelievers] except in aversion.

42

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ مَعَهُۥٓ ءَالِهَةٌۭ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذًۭا لَّٱبْتَغَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ سَبِيلًۭا

Say, [O Muḥammad], "If there had been with Him [other] gods, as they say, then they [each] would have sought to the Owner of the Throne a way."747

  1. [747] To please Him, recognizing His superiority. Another interpretation is "...they would seek a way" to depose Him (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) and take over His Throne. ↩

43

سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا

Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.

44

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًۭا

The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allāh] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing748 and Forgiving.

  1. [748] Refer to footnote in 2:225. ↩

45

وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ حِجَابًۭا مَّسْتُورًۭا

And when you recite the Qur’ān, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition.749

  1. [749] Preventing guidance from reaching them. ↩

46

وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًۭا ۚ وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَلَّوْا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَٰرِهِمْ نُفُورًۭا

And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’ān, they turn back in aversion.

47

نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًۭا مَّسْحُورًا

We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."

48

ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا۟ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًۭا

Look how they strike for you comparisons;750 but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way.

  1. [750] Describing the Prophet (ﷺ) as a poet, a madman or one under the influence of sorcery. ↩

49

وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمًۭا وَرُفَٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًۭا جَدِيدًۭا

And they say, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?"

50

۞ قُلْ كُونُوا۟ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا

Say, "Be you stones or iron751

  1. [751] i.e., even if you should be stones or iron. ↩

About This Surah

Surah Al-Isra connects the Night Journey with revelation, moral responsibility, family and social ethics, the dignity of human beings, and the limits of human knowledge. It recounts warnings to the Children of Israel, gives a compact ethical charter, challenges demands for spectacle, and presents the Quran as guidance and healing. Its commands require context and cannot be turned into private punishment, medical guarantees, or hostility toward whole communities.

Al-Isra opens with the Night Journey from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest mosque as a divine sign. This page states the Quranic account without filling disputed historical or unseen details with certainty that the verse itself does not supply. The narrative then turns to Moses’ scripture and two periods of corruption and consequence among the Children of Israel. These passages address conduct and historical warning; they cannot justify hatred or collective guilt toward Jewish people today.

The Quran is described as guiding toward what is most upright while every person bears responsibility for his or her own deeds. The surah’s ethical charter prohibits worship of other than God, commands excellence toward parents, care for relatives and people in need, measured spending, protection of children, sexual responsibility, respect for life, honest handling of orphan property, fulfillment of commitments, fair measure, and refusal to follow what one does not know.

The account of Adam and Iblis returns to arrogance and temptation. Satan’s threats do not erase human agency. The surah also honors the children of Adam, a statement that should guide the handling of disagreement and prevent dehumanization.

The Quran is called healing and mercy for believers. In context, the wording concerns revelation’s guidance and inward effect; it must not be marketed as a guaranteed cure for physical or psychiatric illness or as a reason to abandon treatment. Human knowledge of the spirit is explicitly limited.

The closing passages answer demands for spectacular signs and accusations against the Messenger. Revelation is recited gradually, and knowledgeable hearers respond with humility. The final prayers and divine names return the reader from spectacle to worship, moral evidence, and disciplined knowledge.

Core Themes

  • The Night Journey as a divine sign
  • Individual moral responsibility and upright guidance
  • A social charter protecting life, family, and property
  • Human dignity resisting dehumanization
  • Healing language bounded by revelation’s purpose
  • Knowledge limits and humble response to the Quran

Structure

Verses 1–22: journey, history, and personal accountability — 1-22

The Night Journey leads into Moses’ scripture, warnings concerning corruption, the Quran’s guidance, and the rule that each person’s choices and record belong to that person.

Verses 23–39: the ethical charter — 23-39

Parents, relatives, the poor, spending, children, sexuality, life, orphan property, commitments, measurement, knowledge, and humility form an integrated program rather than isolated slogans.

Verses 40–60: monotheism, resurrection, and disputed signs — 40-60

The surah rejects false divine attributions, argues for resurrection, records resistance to revelation, and warns against treating reported signs or visions as material for uncontrolled speculation.

Verses 61–84: Iblis, human dignity, and the Quran’s healing — 61-84

Iblis’s threat, human vulnerability at sea, the honor given to Adam’s children, judgment, prayer, and healing language are joined to responsibility and the limits of worldly security.

Verses 85–111: limited knowledge and the demand for spectacle — 85-111

Questions about the spirit, the Quran’s inimitability, demands for miracles, Moses’ confrontation, gradual recitation, humble prostration, and the divine names close the chapter.

Reading Guide

Do not fill the Night Journey with invented certainty

State what verse 1 states and distinguish it from later interpretive discussions. Avoid presenting disputed route, chronology, or unseen details as though every element appears in the verse.

Read the ethical commands as one charter

Follow verses 23–39 sequentially. Worship, family care, spending, life, sexuality, property, commitments, measurement, knowledge, and humility mutually constrain one another.

Place healing beside knowledge limits

Read verses 82 and 85 together. Revelation offers guidance and mercy while the chapter also teaches humility about unseen realities; neither supports guaranteed clinical claims.

Use human dignity as an interpretive boundary

Verse 70 honors the children of Adam. Conflict, theological disagreement, and historical criticism must therefore not become collective hatred, racial contempt, or dehumanization.

Key Passages

The Night Journey — 1

The opening presents a journey between sacred places so the servant may be shown divine signs. The verse’s concise claim is distinct from later reports and disputed details, which rest on separate sources. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

A compact Quranic ethical charter — 23-39

The sequence moves from worship and parents to economic balance, protection of children and life, sexual ethics, orphan property, commitments, honest measure, epistemic restraint, and humility. No single command should be detached from this network.

Speaking in the best manner — 53

Believers are instructed to use the best speech because destructive suggestion can provoke conflict. The verse makes communication an ethical practice and resists the claim that religious truth excuses humiliation or reckless provocation. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

The dignity of Adam’s children — 70

Human beings are honored and given means of travel and provision. The statement provides a strong boundary against dehumanization, collective contempt, and readings that treat present-day opponents as less than human. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

Healing, mercy, and limited knowledge — 82-85

The Quran’s healing and mercy are followed by human variability and the admission that knowledge of the spirit is limited. The passage supports spiritual reflection without guaranteeing medical outcomes or replacing professional care. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

Recitation Note

No exclusive time, fixed repetition count, or guaranteed worldly outcome is asserted here for reciting Surah Al-Isra. It may be read as Quran for worship, reflection, and study. Any separate claim about protection, healing, provision, marriage, pregnancy, or a prescribed number requires its own verified evidence and carefully limited wording.

Interpretation Limits

  • The Children of Israel passages concern conduct and warning; they do not justify antisemitism or collective guilt.
  • The ethical charter does not authorize private enforcement of criminal punishment.
  • Quranic healing language must not be advertised as a guaranteed physical or psychiatric cure.
  • Details about the Night Journey, the spirit, and other unseen matters require explicit sourcing and honest uncertainty.

Quick Links

Sources