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Sura 17 of the Quran
The Night Journey
Other namesBani Israel (Children of Israel)
PositionJuzʼ 15
Hizb no.29 to 30
No. of Rukus12
No. of verses111
No. of Sajdahs1 (verse 109)
← An-Nahl
Al-Kahf →

Al-Isrāʼ[1] (Arabic: الإسراء‎, lit. 'The Night Journey') or Banī Isrāʼīl (بني إسرائيل‎, 'The Children of Israel') is the 17th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran, with 111 verses (āyāt). It is about Isra and the Children of Israel. This sura is an Al-Musabbihat sura because it begins with the glorification of Allah.

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the supposed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, instead of later in Medina.


Al-Isra, Ayahs of 78 and 79 on top of Nimavard madrasa's entrance tilling, Isfahan, Iran.

This surah takes its name from the first verse, which tells the event of the Isra, the transportation of Muhammad during the night from the Great Mosque of Mecca to what is referred to as "the farthest Mosque". The exact location is not specified, although in Islamic tradition[2] this is commonly taken to be the Noble Sanctuary (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem. Some scholars disagree about this (see Isra and Mi'raj). While the city of Jerusalem (or al Quds) is not mentioned by name anywhere in the Qur'an, it is identified in various Hadith.[citation needed] The first verse refers to Mohammed being taken from the 'Sacred Mosque' to the 'Farthest Mosque':


Within Islam, it is generally agreed upon that the 'Farthest Mosque' refers to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and the 'Sacred Mosque' refers to Masjid al-Haram. The surah also refers to the other prophets, for example, Musa (Moses).

This Meccan surah was revealed in the last year before the Hijra. Like all the Meccan surah, it stresses the oneness of Allah, the authority of the prophets. However, the primary theme of the Surah is salah (daily prayers), whose number is said to have been fixed at five during the Miraj which it alludes to. In addition, the Surah forbids adultery, calls for respect for father and mother, and calls for patience and control in the face of the persecutions the Muslim community was facing at the time.


Verse 17:8[edit]

Verse 17:8 refers to hell and states that those who reject the faith will be punished:


However it also states that Allah is merciful and could forgive.

It also refers to the hereafter and states that there is a punishment for not believing in it (Verse 7:10):


Verses 17:13 - 17:15[edit]

Verses 17:13 to 17:15 tells that fate is in people's hands and tells that what they do will be rewarded or punished for on the Day of Judgement:

Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: On the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee." Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent a messenger (to give warning).

Verse 17:70[edit]


Verse 17:71[edit]

Verse 17:71 contains a reference to Yawm al-Qiyamah, the Day of Judgement:


In Kitab al-Kafi, Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was questioned on the interpretation of 17:71 ("On that day, We will call forth every people with their Imam...") to which he responded it is the Imam that is with them and he is the Mahdi, al-Qa'im of the people of that time.[3]

Verse 17:104[edit]

Verse 17:104 tells that the Children of Israel dwelt securely in the Promised Land, provided that they kept their covenant with Allah.


  1. ^ "Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Isra". Quran 4 U. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  2. ^ Ibn Kathir. Tafsir Ibn Kathir Juz' 15 (Part 15): Al-Israa (or Bani Isra'il) 1 to Al-Kahf 74. p. 10. al-Masjid al Aqsa means the sacred house which is in Jerusalem

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