REFLECTIONS ON SURAH AL-ISRA

I came across beauty of this Surah that how Allah subhana’watalah has combined the warnings, instructions and admonitions, by stating the whole infrastructure on which Islamic state was going to built in Madinah and then all over the world.
As we look theme and background of Surah, the name is given as per first ayah Surah Al Isra ( the journey of night), it is pointing towards the Bani Israel as well, so also known as Surah Bani Israel.
The Surah was revealed before a year of Hijrah, so it is said to Bani Isreal to avail this last opportunity, if you ll behave same like as u are already behaving then u ll soon meet with the severe punishment.

In this connection, the fundamental principles of morality and civilization of Islamic System of life have been put forward. Thus this was a sort of the Manifesto of the intended Islamic state.

• Ayah 13-15 tells us that our fate is in our hands and tells us that what we do will be rewarded or punished for on the Day of Judgement.
• Ayah 25-27, have righteous life, in balanced manner. Don’t be etravagant in spending
• Ayah 26- Take care of of the relatives, poors, Islam emphasize on obligations.

As a matter of fact, it is ingratitude towards Allah’s favor to spend money for the sake of show, luxury and sinful acts and similar things which are neither man’s real necessities nor useful. Therefore, those people who spend money lavishly on such things as these are the brothers of Satan.

• Ayah 31: it was revealed to forbid the pre-Islamic Arab practice of killing or burying alive a newborn child (particularly a girl) on account to refrain poverty or female child.

Besides these, the Holy Prophet  has been instructed to stick firmly to his stand without minding the opposition and difficulties which he was encountering and should never think of making a compromise with unbelief. Moreover, we learn that Mi’raj was the first occasion on which the five daily Prayers were prescribed to be offered at fixed times, to purify and reform the souls.

JUZ 4 – LAN TANALOO AL-BIR’RA

 

Surah Ale Imran, Ayaat (92 to 200)

• Al Birr (Righteousness) is spending and giving that which you ‘love the most‘ in the way of Allah. (3:92)
• Learn submission and humilty from Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and how he sacrificed his sleep and rest to build the House of Allah. (3:95) (3:97)
• Love the Bayt-Allah/Ka’abah and perform Hajj once in your life if you are able to do so. (3:97)
• Spend your whole life in the obedience of Allah and let death meet you while you are in a state of eeman. (3:102)
• Hold on tightly to the rope of Allah i.e., the Qur’an, be firm on its path altogether as an Ummah and stay away from division. (3:103)
• Calling people to the Quran, its rules, and to righteous deeds is every Muslim’s duty. (3:104)
• Allah calls the nation of the Believers the best nation because they enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and they believe in Allâh. (3:110)
• Adopting Sabr and Taqwa while facing calamities and problems. (3:120)
• The Muslims suffered loss at the Battle of Uhud because of the love of wealth/Dunya. To be successful in both worlds one needs to work sincerely for the sake of Allah. (3:121)
• A Muhsin is the one who gives charity in hard times and easy times, while healthy or ill, and in all conditions. He controls his anger and forgives/pardons those who wrong him. (3:134)
• Jannah is priceless. You need to strive hard in good deeds and sabr to gain a place in Jannah. (3:134)
• Shakireen (the grateful ones) are those who bear the biggest of sorrows for the sake of Allah, the ones who sacrifice all that they love to spread the Deen of Allah. (3:144)
• Allah strengthens His servant and his eeman by testing him again and again. If you fear him and are patient, you will be successful. (3:150)
• Be lenient and forgive the mistakes of your companions on account of their sincerity, sacrifices and past good acts. (3:159) 
• Allah Ta’ala has truly favoured the Ummah by sending His Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) to purify them and teach them His Book. (3:164)
• Wish and pray for martyrdom to find special provision and reward from Allah in the Hereafter. (3:169)
• Whenever you are stuck in a problem, facing challenges from your enemies then just have strong eeman, yaqeen and tawakkal in Allah, His might, His Help and say: HasbunAllahu wa ni’mal Wakeel. (3:173)
• Protect yourself from the traps of this deceiving Dunya. Real success is for the one who is saved from the hellfire and made to enter Jannah in the Hereafter. (3:185)
• (Ayahs 190-194) Aisha (radiAllahu ‘anha) narrated that when these ayaat were revealed RasoolAllah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) wept till his beard became wet and he said:

‘Woe to he who recites it but does not contemplate it.’

Surah An Nisa, Ayaat ( 1 to 23)

• You must fear Allah, know that he is Always Watching and be caring towards your relatives and treat them with kindness for the sake of Allah and avoid breaking off ties with them.  (4:1)
• A man is allowed to marry more than once if he can guarantee treating all four wives with equality. (4:3)
• Giving the dowry to the wives is obligatory on men when they marry. (4:4)
• It is necessary to distribute the inheritance according the portions that Allah has ordained. (4:11-12)
• Do not delay seeking forgiveness of Allah after you commit a sin. Repentance at the time of death will not be accepted. (4:17-18)
• Men should treat their women kindly and not be harsh with them. They should not ask their wives to return the dowry in case of divorce or separation. (4:19)

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)