Sürah Al-Isra'ʾ الإسراء, 'The Night Journey'), also known as Sürah Banī Isrāʾīl (بني إسرائيل, 'The Children of Israel'), is the 17th sūrah (chapter) of the Quran, with 111 verses (āyāt), part of the 17th Juz. The word Isra' refers to the Night Journey of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. This surāh is part of a series of al-Musabbihat surāhs because it begins with the glorification of Allah. It opens with the famous verse about the Isrāʾ—the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s miraculous night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem—and then transitions into guidance, warnings, and lessons from past nations.
| To know more about the Surahs called al-Musabbihat, please refer to our link: Surahs of the Holy Quran Known as Al-Musabbihat "The Praisers" |
Theme of Surah al-Isrāʾ
The surah’s central theme is: The journey of the Prophet ﷺ is a sign of Allah’s power, and the Qur’an is guidance and mercy, but rejecting it leads to destruction, as shown by the fate of earlier nations.
It emphasizes:
- The oneness of Allah (Tawḥīd)
- The moral and spiritual responsibilities of humans
- The link between divine law and social ethics
- Accountability in the Hereafter
Main Subjects
Here’s a breakdown of its core sections:
- a) The Night Journey (v.1)
- Verse 1 is the only Qur’anic mention of the Isrāʾ: “Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed…”
- Significance: Establishes the sacred status of Masjid al-Aqsa and confirms the Prophet ﷺ’s divine mission.
- b) Children of Israel and Historical Lessons (v.2–8)
- Narrates how Banī Isrāʾīl were given the Book, but their arrogance and disobedience led to two major punishments.
- Lesson: Divine blessings can be withdrawn if one turns to corruption.
- c) Qur’an as Guidance (v.9–22)
- Qur’an leads to what is upright.
- Clear moral code: worship Allah alone, kindness to parents, justice, modesty, and fulfillment of promises.
- d) Human Nature and Accountability (v.23–39)
- Condemnation of arrogance, extravagance, and ingratitude.
- Ten commandments-like ethics.
- e) Challenge to the Disbelievers (v.40–60)
- Warnings about the consequences of denying truth.
- Refutes demands for miraculous signs on their own terms.
- f) Scenes from the Hereafter (v.71–104)
- People will be called by their leaders or records.
- Story of Moses and Pharaoh—arrogance leading to ruin.
- g) Final Reminder (v.105–111)
- Qur’an revealed in truth, not to distress believers.
- Ends with a call to glorify Allah.
About Buraq
When talking and explaining Sürah Al-Isra'ʾ, the mention of horse like white beast Buraq is made. What is Buraq then?
- Buraq is the miraculous steed that, according to authentic hadiths (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim), carried the Prophet ﷺ during the Isrāʾ from Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) to Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).
- Described as white, smaller than a mule but larger than a donkey, it would place its hoof at the farthest point its eye could see.
- From Masjid al-Aqsa, the Prophet ﷺ then ascended through the heavens (Miʿrāj)—this part is not directly mentioned in Surah al-Isrāʾ but is narrated in hadith.
More of it will be explained in selected verses from this surah.
We have already published detailed exegesis of the Surah which can be accessed from links given below:
We now share some of the verses from Surah Al-A'raf which have already been published covering some important messages:
- Qur’an Promises great reward for believers and stern warning for disbelievers / nonbelievers - verses 9-10
- Verily Qur'an guides to the Way that is the Straight most
- Do not be in haste to pray against yourself - verse 11
- Rules of the Divine Court: The Day when the man will be asked to read Book of his own Deeds - verse 14
- Two foundational aspects of Islamic ethics: Monotheism and filial piety - verse 23
- Do not squander your wealth wastefully - verse 26
- Believers!! Do not be Parsimonious - verse 29
- Believers! Do not go near ADULTERY [Zināʾ (زِنَاء)] because it is blatant lewdness and a very evil path - verse 32
- Man laments: I feel dishonoured - Allah replies: We have indeed honoured the children of Adam - verse 70
- Blindness to Truth in this world will lead to Utter Blindness in the Hereafter - verse 72
- And pray: My Lord! Cause me to enter wherever it be, with Truth, and cause me to exit, wherever it be, with Truth - verse 80
- Everyone acts in his peculiar manner - but your Lord is fully aware who has chosen the best path - verse 84
In time we will continue to add more selected verses from Sürah 17. Al-Isra'ʾ for information / education of our readers about Islam and Al Qur'an.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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