The main theme of Surah al-Isra is establishing principles of Islamic creed just as all surahs revealed in Mecca do.
Surah al-Isra informs about a great miracle that was given the final Prophet and Messenger Muhammadﷺ, i.e. the Night Journey from the Sacred mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. This journey is a magnificent proof of the ability of Allah, Exalted is He, on which He honored His Prophetﷺ. Surah al-Isra also speaks about the book Allah revealed to Moses, i.e. the Torah, to be the guidance for Children of Israel. It also mentions what Allah has informed about the corruption that the Children of Israel would do on the earth. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(Glory is to Him who caused His slave to travel by night from the Sacred mosque to al-Aqsa mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our proofs. Indeed, He is the all-Hearing, the all-Seeing.
We gave Moses the Book and made it guidance for the Children of Israel, informing them, ‘Do not make other than Me as a worshipped guardian.’
O descendants of those whom We carried with Noah! Indeed, he was a grateful slave.
We informed the Children of Israel in the scripture that, ‘You would indeed make mischief on the earth twice, and you would indeed be tyrannically arrogant.’) [Q 17: 1-4]
Then the surah mentions that Allah revealed the Quran to the Messengerﷺ to guide people to the right path, give good news to those who do righteous deeds, and warn those who refuse to follow the path of guidance. It also states that every human being is responsible for his deeds. He will be called to account for his deeds on the Day of Judgment.
The surah then declares one of the rules of Allah. The rule states that the result of extravagance and disobedience is destruction, that the abode of whoever only seeks the reward of the worldly life is hellfire, and that the abode of whoever seeks the reward of the hereafter and does righteous deeds for the sake of Allah in this world will be Paradise.
Allah makes clear that happiness in the hereafter is attained by believing in Allah alone, sincerely seeking it, and exerting one’s best efforts to attain it. Then Allah mentions some enjoinments that whoever complies with will attain His pleasure, Exalted is He. For example, Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be dutiful to the parents. If one or both of them become old, being under your care, do not say the slightest bad word to them, nor scold them, and speak kindly to them.)[Q17:23]
(Do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful cause. Whomever is unjustly killed, We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation. He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)[Q17:33]
Then the surah praises the Quran, affirms that Allah is One, and has no partner, and mentions that everything praises Allah, Exalted is He. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(Indeed, We have diversely clarified things in this Quran for people that they may be admonished, but it increases them only aversion.) [Q 17:41]
(The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify Him. There is not a thing but glorifies Him, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.) [Q 17: 44]
After that, the surah mentions some allegations of the disbelievers, and refutes them. Moreover, it commands the believers to say the best speech.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(They say, ‘When we become bones and crumbled remains, will we be resurrected as a new creation?’)[Q 17:49]
(Tell My slaves that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan stirs enmity among them. Verily, Satan is ever an open enemy to man.) [Q 17:53]
Then the surah mentions the story of Adam and Satan. After that, it refers to some of the blessings that Allah grants His slaves on land and at sea. It also points out to some aspects, denoting the honor Allah bestows on human beings, and portrays some scenes of the Day of the Judgment, indicating how Allah is just. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
(Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam, subjected what is on the land and at the sea to carry them, provided them with tasty sustenance, and favored them greatly over many of those We have created.)[Q17:70]
The surah mentions after that some of the blessings Allah granted His Prophet Muhammadﷺ as he made him firm, encountering the cunning of his enemies. Allah commanded him to always pray and recite the Quran because it would increase his firmness. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:
Indeed, they were about to entice you– O Messenger - away from what We have revealed to you to make you fabricate something else against Us. Then they would have made you their beloved friend. [Q17:73]
Finally, the surah mentions proofs, denoting the Oneness of Allah, Exalted is He, narrates some of the story of Moses, and affirms that Allah, Exalted is He, truthfully has revealed the Quran so that people will recite it deliberately.
As the surah begins with praising and glorifying Allah, it is concluded with praising, thanking, and exalting Him. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,
Say, ‘Praise is due to Allah, who has neither a child, nor a partner in His kingdom, nor a supporting ally out of humility. And praise Him greatly.’ [Q:17:111]
After presenting a summary of the most important topics of surah al-Isra, the following points are noted:
• Like all Meccy surahs, surah al-Isra greatly focuses on purifying the creed of the Oneness of Allah from whatever deviation that may affect it.
• It gives a comprehensive discussion about the personality of the Messengerﷺ. It mentions his Night Journey from the Sacred mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the nature and the characteristics of his message, the attitudes of the disbelievers toward his message, the obstinate demands that they asked him, how Allah made His messenger firm, and the good news that Allah gave himﷺ.
• Surah al-Isra focuses on speaking about the Quran. It refers to the fact that it is guidance, and inimitable.
• Those who do not believe in the Quran cannot understand it. It is healing for all diseases, physical and spiritual ones. This is besides the admonitions are repeated therein, using different manners. The Quran was revealed gradually so people could understand and recite it deliberately.
• The surah gives good attention to discussing Sharî’a obligations related to individual and community behaviors.
• The surah clarifies the un-changeable rules of Allah regarding being guided and going astray, reward and punishment, giving victory and forsaking, and bestowing mercy and annihilating.
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