Surah “Bani Isrâil/Al-Isrâ' - The Children of Isrâil

 

Name:

The name has been taken from verse 4 “Then in OUR Book WE warned the Children of Isrâil (Bani Isrâil) on this thing that you will spread big mischief”.  However, the topic of discussion is not Bani Isrâil, but this name has also chosen as a symbol as used in other Sűrahs.

 

Period of Revelation:

The first verse indicates that this Sűrah has been revealed at the time of Mi’raj (Ascension – Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam’s visit to the heavens).  According to the Hadith and many traditions from the books on the life of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, this event had happened one year before Hijrat.  Therefore, this Sűrah is one of those Sűrahs which were revealed in the last period of the stay of Prophet in Makkah.

 

Background:

The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam had been spreading Tauhid for the last 12 (twelve) years.  Your opponents had done all that what they could do to stop your Mission.  However, in spite of all their opposition the message of Islam had reached to every corner of Arabia.  There was hardly any tribe of Arabia where at least two three people have not been influenced by his invitation.  In Makkah, itself there was a small group of the true Believers which was ready and willing to face every danger to make Islam a success.   A very large number of two powerful tribes, Aus and Khazraj of Al-Madinah had accepted Islam.  Now that time had come closer when the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was going to get an opportunity to migrate from Makkah to Al- Madinah and gather the scattered Muslims, to establish an Islamic state.  In these circumstances the Mi’raj took place, and on his return from heavens Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave this message to the world.

 

Topics and Theme:

The warning, admonition, and education, all three have been combined in this Sűrah in a balanced proportion.

 

The disbelievers of Makkah had been warned to learn a lesson from the end of the Israelites and other nations and mend the ways within the period of respite given by Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala, which is going to expire soon – and embrace the invitation of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, which he is presenting through Al-Qur'ân, otherwise you shall be destroyed and other people will be placed at your place.  In addition, subsequently the Israelites, who were going to be addressed after the migration, have also been admonition that learn a lesson from the punishments that have already been given to you and the opportunity you are getting from the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam take full benefit of it, if you lost this last chance and repeated your old behavior then you will suffer terrible penalty.

 

In reference to the education -- it has been made to understand in a very attractive way that human success or failure, gain or loss, depends upon some truths.  Arguments have been given in favor of Tauhid, life-after-death and Prophethood.  The doubts about the basic realities have been removed which were presented by the disbelievers of Makkah.  In addition, beside the arguments on suitable occasions the disbelieving folks have been cautioned and scolded on their ignorance.

 

In the matter of education, those fundamental principles of morality and civilization have been presented on which to establish the system of life was main objective of the invitation of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.  This Manifesto of the Islam was presented to Arabia a year before the establishment of Islamic state.  It has been clearly stated that it is the skeleton of the system on which Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam intend to build human life first in his country and later in the whole world.

 

Besides all these things, Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has been advised to stand firm for his cause in all these difficulties and should never think of making any compromise with Kufr.  In addition, the Muslims, who sometimes showed signs of impatience, when they met with persecution, mistreatment, and crooked arguments from the disbelievers, have been enjoined to face the circumstances with patience and fortitude and keep complete control over their emotions.  In this connection, to reform and purify their souls Salât (prayer) has been prescribed, that this is the thing that will create in you those high qualities of character, which are essential for those fighters who intends to struggle in the path of truth.  We learn from Traditions that it is the first occasion on which the five daily Prayers with punctuality of times were made compulsory for Muslims.

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