[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 72

also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 72. And whoever is blind in this world (i.e., does not see Allâh's Signs and believes not in Him), will be blind in the Hereafter, and more astray from the Path.

Hazrat Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH)  would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship. [Al-Bukhari Book 03, Chapter 32, Hadith # 241].

 

Lesson : as mentioned above The entire month of Ramadan is a spring season for virtues, worship and obedience of Allah, but its last ten days are the peak of this season of worship. Therefore, one must strive hard in the last ten days and nights of this month to follow the practice of the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH), to seek the Pleasure of Allah and to attain the benefits of Lailat-ul-Qadr, which occurs during this period. The Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) used to make special arrangement for observing Itikaf, and we must also follow this practice of his.

 

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 71

 also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 71. (And remember) the Day when We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imam [their Prophets, or their records of good and bad deeds, or their Holy Books like the Qur'an, the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), etc.]. So whosoever is given his record in his right hand, such will read their records, and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah: `O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you' and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Saum will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate. The one who is generous in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.'' Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH)! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?'' He replied, "Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.''

[Al-Bukhari Book 03, Chapter 31, Hadith # 121]. 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Isra Ayat 71. (And remember) the Day when We shall call together all human beings" "Pair'' means two; in other channels of transmission, it has been explained thus: "They asked him, `Pair of what?' He  [SAWW](PBUH) said, `A pair of horses, cows or camels'.'' "Pair'' in this Hadith, however, can be all-inclusive; i.e., fasting two days or performing two prayers, etc. This Hadith also mentions special distinction of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) and the esteem in which he was held by the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH). It also transpires from this Hadith that one can praise such a person right on his face about whom one does not fear that it will make him proud. This Hadith has also an inducement for giving in Sadaqah two instead of a single item.

 

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 70

 also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 70. And indeed We have honoured the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and have provided them with At-Taiyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference.

Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast, will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing in any way the reward of the latter.''

[At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 807].

 

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 68-69

also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 68. Do you then feel secure that He will not cause a side of the land to swallow you up, or that He will not send against you a violent sand-storm? Then, you shall find no Wakîl (guardian one to guard you from the torment).

Ayat 69. Or do you feel secure that He will not send you back a second time to sea and send against you a hurricane of wind and drown you because of your disbelief, then you will not find any avenger therein against Us?

Hazrat Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) came out during the night and observed prayer in the mosque and some of the people prayed along with him. When it was morning the people talked about this and so a large number of people gathered there. The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) went out for the second night, and they (the people) prayed along with him. When it was morning the people began to talk about it. So the mosque thronged with people on the third night. He (the Holy Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) ) came out and they prayed along with him. When it was the fourth night, the mosque was filled to its utmost capacity but the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) did not come out. Some persons among then cried:" Prayer." But the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) did not come to them till he came out for the morning prayer. When he had completed the morning prayer, he turned his face to the people and recited Tashahhud (I bear testi- mony that there is no god but Allah and I bear testimony that Muhammad is His Messenger) and then said: Your affair was not hidden from me in the night, but I was afraid that (my observing prayer continuously) might make the night prayer obligatory for you and you might be unable to perform it.

[Muslim Book 004, Chapter 117 Hadith Number 1667].

 

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 67

also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 67. And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon besides Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful. 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Almighty Allah says, `I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism..'' 

[Muslim Book 042, Chapter 06, Hadith # 7114]. 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Isra Ayat 67. Him vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away (from Him). And man is ever ungrateful. "He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me'' here means to do something virtuous for mere show for worldly benefit, or to gain the reputation of being pious. "I discard him and his polytheism'' means that "I nullify his good deeds and deprive him of the reward.'' In this Hadith any virtue done for the sake of mere show has been likened to Shirk to make its viciousness and harm obvious. However, this is Ash-Shirk Al-Asghar, and those who commit it will not be forbidden access to Jannah. They will, after the punishment in Hell, ultimately enter Jannah. Whereas, those who are guilty of Ash-Shirk Al-Akbar and sheer Shirk will abide in Hell forever.

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 66

also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 66. Your Lord is He Who drives the ship for you through the sea, in order that you may seek of His Bounty. Truly! He is Ever Most Merciful towards you. 

Hazrat Amr bin Al-Aas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "The difference between our observance of Saum (fasting) and that of the people of the Scriptures is Suhur (predawn meal in Ramadan).''

[Muslim Book 06, Chapter 09, Hadith # 2413]. 

Lesson : We learn from this Hadith that Suhur is a distinctive mark with which Allah has blessed the Muslim Ummah.

[17].Surah Al-Isra' [The Journey By Night]: Ayat 65

also known as Surah Bani Israel [The Children of Israel]

 

Ayat 65. "Verily! My slaves (i.e the true believers of Islamic Monotheism), you have no authority over them. And All-Sufficient is your Lord as a Guardian."

Hazrat Abu Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Masruq and I visited `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and said: "O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer).'' She asked, "Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?'' Masruq said, "It is `Abdullah (meaning `Abdullah bin Masud).'' She said, "The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) used to do so.''

[Muslim Book 06, Chapter 09, Hadith # 2420]. 

Lesson : This Hadith points out the practice of the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) of breaking the Saum and performing the Maghrib prayer in the early moments of the prescribed time.