Surah's In Qur'an The Lesson's And Hadith's

17: (Al-Isra')- The Night Journey

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim.

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn . The Only Owner of the Day of Recompense. You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help. Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray .

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17: (Al-Isra')- The Night Journey

There are 111 verses in this 'makki' Surah. The Holy Prophet (S) has said that a great reward will be accorded to those who recite this Surah and when they reach the verse about parents, they feel a sense of love and gentleness towards their parents.

On 27 Rajab, Muslims remember Isra' and Miraj, the miraculous Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad. The exact date of the event is uncertain, but the majority of scholars place it at 12 to 16 months before the Hijrah.

One night, was sleeping near the Ka'bah in Makkah, when the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came to him, woke him up and, taking him by the arm, led him to Al-Buraq, a beast resembling a horse with two huge wings springing from its back.

From Makkah, Al-Buraq took off toward Jerusalem. There, the Prophet was met by all the other Prophets. He dismounted, tethered Al-Buraq to a ring in the gate of Jerusalem, and led them in Prayers.

Two vessels were then brought to him, one containing milk, the other wine. Muhammad drank the milk. Jibreel said:

"O Muhammad, you enjoy what is pure. Surely you will guide your people to the right path."

This journey demonstrates God's might and ability to make possible the impossible. The concepts of time and space as we understand them do not apply, and what applies cannot be perceived by our limited faculties.

Led by the , the Prophet began his ascent through the , where he reached Sadrat Al-Muntaha, the remotest lote tree, symbolizing the end of worldly knowledge. He was then taken before the .

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The Obligation of Prayer

Allah (God) enjoined the Muslims to perform (ritual Prayers) 50 times a day. After his audience with Allah, Muhammad met Moses, who asked him how many Prayers were laid upon his followers.

When the Prophet replied 50, Moses told him, "the congregational Prayer is heavy and your people are weak". He advised him to go back and ask Allah to reduce them.

Muhammad made several trips back and forth, and each time, the Merciful reduced the number till finally He reduced it to 5 Prayers a day and if they are performed properly the worshiper will be given credit for 50.

The Prophet continued his descent till he arrived back in Makkah. When he told the people what had happened to him, Muslims who were weak in faith doubted the Prophet's report. Yet when his friend and long supporter was asked to take a stand on the issue, he replied:

"If Muhammad said it happened, then it must have happened. I believed him when he first talked about his divine revelation, why should I doubt him now?"

Thus on this occasion Abu Bakr earned the title of As-Siddiq (the Veracious). 

A trial of faith

And (remember, O mohammed), when we told you, "Indeed , your Lord has encompassed the people." And we did not make the sight which we showed you except as a trial for the people,as was the accursed tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an. And we threaten them, but it increases them not except in great transgression.