Definition
Surah Bani Isra'il is also known as "Surah Subhan". "Isra" means to make someone travel by night.
The surah opens with the event of Isra — Allah took His servant, the Prophet ﷺ, on a night journey from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa — and then, through Mi'raj, took him through the heavens.
Mi'raj took place on the 27th night of Rajab: the Prophet ﷺ met earlier prophets in the different heavens, was shown Paradise and Hell, and reached Sidrat-ul-Muntaha; the five daily prayers were made obligatory on this night. This entire journey was completed in a single night — one of the Prophet's ﷺ great miracles.
Hadith on its virtue: Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited Surah Bani Isra'il and Surah Az-Zumar (Tirmidhi: 3405).
- Worship Allah alone.
- Be good to your parents; if either reaches old age in your care, never say "Uff" to them, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with the utmost respect, lowering the wing of humility before them.
- Give relatives, the needy, and travellers their due rights, avoiding both extravagance and miserliness.
- Do not kill your children for fear of poverty.
- Do not go near adultery (zina).
- Do not unlawfully take a life.
- Safeguard the property of orphans until they reach maturity.
- Fulfil your promises and covenants.
- Give full measure and weight with justice.
- Do not follow anything without knowledge, and do not walk upon the earth with arrogance.
Definition
The story of Adam (AS) and Iblis is narrated — how Iblis refused to prostrate before Adam (AS), rebelled, and swore to mislead mankind. Allah also mentions honouring the children of Adam, providing them transport on land and sea, and pure sustenance.
The disbelievers of Makkah demanded miracles from the Prophet ﷺ, such as springs gushing from the earth or an angel descending — they are answered that Messengers are only human beings.
A challenge is issued: even if all mankind and jinn combined their efforts, they could not produce a surah like the Quran.
Rule
Bani Isra'il 17:23 — وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُوْٓا اِلَّآ اِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ اِحْسَانًا اِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَآ اَوْ كِلٰهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَآ اُفٍّ وَّلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيْمًا — Translation: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age in your lifetime, do not say to them so much as "Uff", nor rebuke them, but speak to them with respectful words.
Bani Isra'il 17:24 (prayer of mercy for parents) — رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِيْ صَغِيْرًا — Translation: My Lord, have mercy upon them both, just as they raised me when I was small.
Bani Isra'il 17:80 (prayer for a good beginning/end and divine help) — رَبِّ اَدْخِلْنِيْ مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَّاَخْرِجْنِيْ مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَّاجْعَلْ لِّيْ مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ سُلْطٰنًا نَّصِيْرًا — Translation: My Lord, cause me to enter with truth and cause me to leave with truth, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.
Bani Isra'il 17:31-32 — وَلَا تَقْتُلُوْٓا اَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ اِمْلَاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَاِيَّاكُمْ اِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْأً كَبِيْرًا وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنٰٓى اِنَّهٗ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَآءَ سَبِيْلًا — Translation: And do not kill your children for fear of poverty; We provide for them and for you. Indeed, killing them is a great sin. And do not go near adultery; indeed, it is an indecency and an evil way.
Bani Isra'il 17:34 — وَلَا تَقْرَبُوْا مَالَ الْيَتِيْمِ اِلَّا بِالَّتِيْ هِيَ اَحْسَنُ حَتّٰى يَبْلُغَ اَشُدَّهٗ وَاَوْفُوْا بِالْعَهْدِ اِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْؤُوْلًا — Translation: And do not go near the property of the orphan, except in the best manner, until he reaches maturity. And fulfil every covenant; indeed, the covenant will be questioned about.
Definition
The Quran guides to the straight path and gives good news of a great reward to believers who do righteous deeds; and it is a healing and a mercy for the believers.
Quick Recap
- ●Surah Bani Isra'il ("Surah Subhan"): opens with Isra (night journey, Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa) and Mi'raj (27 Rajab, five prayers made obligatory)
- ●Huqooq-ul-Ibad: Tawheed, kindness to parents (never say "Uff"), relatives'/needy's/travellers' rights, no killing children, no adultery, no unjust killing, orphans' property, fulfilling promises, just measure, no arrogance
- ●Adam (AS)/Iblis story; Quran's challenge — mankind and jinn together cannot produce its like
- ●Key verses: 17:23-24 (parents), 17:80 (good beginning/end), 17:31-32 (no killing children/no adultery), 17:34 (orphans/covenants)
- ●Quran's attributes: guidance + great reward for good deeds; healing and mercy for believers
