Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 49-52

The Disbelieves’ Denial of Resurrection 

The beliefs of the disbelievers of Mecca were corrupt. Some of them claimed that Allah, Exalted is He, had a son, and wife. They considered Allah like the created beings. Some of them denied the occurrence of Resurrection on the Day of Judgment since they believed that after annihilation, matters never return to their former states, i.e. after death human body never returns to life. They had such understanding because they did not comprehend the Omnipotence of Allah, the Almighty, and that He is able to restore life to dead matters only by saying a word, i.e. ‘Be’. The following ayat narrate about the disbelievers’ denial of Resurrection on the Day of Judgment.  

(They say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, will we be resurrected as a new creation?

Say, ‘Be stones or iron, or other creation that your minds deem impossible.’ They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’ They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’ Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’

On the day when He will call you, you will respond while praising Him, and you will think that you remained a little while.  [Quran Surah al-Isra: 49-52]

Relationship with the Previous Part

After mentioning things related to the creed of belief in the Oneness of Allah in the previous part, the ayat mention suspicions of the disbelievers regarding denying resurrection after death on the Day of Judgment, and refuting their claim. 

Tafsir

(They say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, will we be resurrected as a new creation?) [49]

The disbelievers say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains after death, will we be resurrected from our graves as new creation and be brought for reckoning On the Day of Judgment?’ 

Their statement indicates their absolute ignorance of the Omnipotence of Allah, Exalted is He.  

(Say, ‘Be stones or iron, or other creation that your minds deem impossible.’ They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’ They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’ Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’) [51-52]

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers who deny resurrection after death, ‘If you can, be stones, like the idols that you worship besides Allah, be iron, like the tools you use in your life, or be any creation that your minds deem impossible thing. Indeed, Allah is able to recreate you and get you back to life after death to recompense you for what you did in the worldly life, and punish you. 

The ayah confirms the perfect ability of Allah, and that nothing is impossible for Him. Challenging the disbelievers, who deny resurrection after death, Allah tells them to change themselves to anything that their minds deem impossible to return to life, e.g. stone, iron, etc. Allah will bring them back to life after their death and recompense them for what they did in the worldly life. 

(They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life’)

The disbelievers will say, ‘Who will bring us to life after being stones, iron, or any other impossible thing?’ 

(Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’)

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers that Allah, who created them the first time, will bring them back to life after their death for reckoning. 

(They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’)

After receiving such a decisive reply, the disbelievers will shake their heads and mockingly say, ‘When the resurrection will be after we become bones and crumbled remains?’ 

(Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’)

 O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers that the day they think is far will come soon. Anything that is certain to happen will come soon.

(On the day when He will call you, you will respond while praising Him, and you will think that you remained a little while.) [52] 

 O disbelievers! Resurrection will take place on the Day of Judgment. On that day you will be called and respond positively to the caller. You will be praising Allah for His Omnipotence and forget your claims that there would be neither resurrection, nor reckoning. And you will think then that you stayed for a short time in the worldly life. 

Qatãda said, ‘(You shall think that you remained a little while.). You shall think that you remained a little while in the worldly life. When the disbelievers experience the horrors of the Day of Judgment, they will feel that the duration of the worldly life was very short.’ 

   

Learned Lessons

• The disbelievers do not only worship other gods besides Allah, they also deny resurrection after death on the Day of Judgment. 

• Allah, Exalted is He, is Omnipotent. There is no cause for wonder. If people doubt and think it is impossible the fact of brining bones and crumbled remains back to life, it is because of their imperfect understanding, and weak ability. Allah is able, and nothing in the heavens, nor on the earth stands before His ability. Even if people become stones, irons, or something that is stronger, Allah, Exalted is He, will bring them back to life after death for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. 

• When people will be called to come out of their graves on the Day of Judgment, they will obey the command while praising Allah. 

• When people go back to life on the Day of Judgment, they will believe that they only stayed very a short time in the worldly life in comparison with their stay in the Hereafter, which will be forever. 

Tafsir of Surah al-Israh: Ayah 45-48

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Israh: Ayah 45-48

Protecting the Prophet ﷺ from Abuse

The disbelievers abused the Messengerﷺ by countless ways. Their abuse was not restricted to abusing him personally and preventing people from listening to his invitation to Islam. They used to abuse him in the most special times of his personal life, i.e. when reciting the Quran in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. However, Allah, Exalted is He, protected him from their conspiracy and harm and usually from their abuse, and attempts of preventing him from conveying the Message of Islam. In the following ayat, the Quran narrates about some of their abuse. 

(When you recite the Quran, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealing veil.

And We put covers over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back. 

We are fully aware of how they listen to it. When they listen to you, confiding to one another, the wrongdoers say, ‘Indeed, you follow none but a bewitched man.’ 

Consider how they cite examples for you! Thus, they have gone astray and cannot find the guiding path.

[Quran Surah al-Isra: 45-48]

Relationship with the Previous Part

In the previous part, Allah, Exalted is He, established proofs, denoting His Oneness, and confirmed that everything in the universe glorifies and praises Him. Then He has mentioned the disbelievers’ reaction when listening to the Quran. 

Tafsir  

(When you recite the Quran, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealing veil.)[45]

O Prophet! When you recite the Quran, which guides to the right path, Allah, the able, puts between you and those who disbelieve in the Hereafter a concealing veil, preventing them from understanding the meanings of the Quran so they cannot benefit from its guidance.

Allah, Exalted is He, punishes them by such punishment because they disbelieve in the Quran, and refuse to listen to the invitation to follow the path of truth that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, brought, i.e. Islam. 

(And We put covers over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back.) [46]

Allah puts covers over the hearts of the disbelievers, preventing them from understanding the Quran. He also puts deafness in their ears, preventing them from listening to the Quran so that they cannot benefit from its guidance. That is because they reject to follow the path of guidance. 

(When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back.)

O Messenger! When you mention Allah in the Quran, testifying His Oneness, without mentioning the alleged deities of the disbelievers, the disbelievers will aversively turn back due to their arrogance and haughty refusal to affirm the Oneness of Allah, Exalted is He.  

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions what demonstrates His comprehensive knowledge, and that He will recompense the disbelievers for their evil deeds.

(We are fully aware of how they listen to it. When they listen to you, confiding to one another, the wrongdoers say, ‘Indeed, you follow none but a bewitched man.’) [47]

Allah is fully aware of how the disbelievers listen to the Prophetﷺ when he recites the Quran and calls them to follow Islam, the path of guidance. They listen to him mockingly, disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah and the Islamic message. 

Moreover, Allah fully knows how the disbelievers confide to one another when they listen to Messenger Muhammad when he recites the Quran, saying, ‘Indeed, Muhammad is a bewitched man, so do not follow him.’ 

The following ayah is consolation to the Messenger of Allah as well as it strengthens the hearts of believers so they keep on following Islam. 

(Consider how they cite examples for you! Thus, they have gone astray and cannot find the guiding path.) [48]

O Messenger! Consider how the disbelievers cite examples for you. Sometimes they say that you are a bewitched man, other times they say that you are a poet, and so on. By describing you with such attributes, they indeed, have gone astray so they cannot find the guiding path. 

Muhammad bin Ishãq reported in the biography of Prophet Muhammadﷺ that Muhammad bin Muslim bin Shihãp az-Zuhry said, ‘I was informed that once abû Sufyãn bin Harab, abû Jahal bin Hishãm, and al-A’khnas bin Shurayk went out to listen to the recitation of the Messenger of Allah when he was praying in his house during night. Each one of them sat at a different place listening to the recitation without knowing the place of the other ones. They spent the night listening to the prophet’s recitation. At dawn, they left their places. They met one another on their return. They blamed each other, saying, ‘Do not return to listen to Muhammad’s recitation. If someone of the foolish sees you, you will make him doubt.’ Then they returned to their houses. The next night, each one of them returned to the same place, and listened to the Prophet’s recitation. Once again, they spent the night listening to the Prophet’s recitation. They said to one another what they said the previous time, and then returned to their houses. 

The third night, each one of them returned and sat at the same place, and spent the night listening to the Prophet’s recitation. At dawn, they left their places. They met on their return to their houses. They said, ‘We shall not leave this place until we make a covenant that we will never return to do so.’ They made a covenant and left one another.

In the morning, al-A’khnas bin Shurayk took his stick, and went to the house of abû Sufyãn bin Harab. He said, ‘Abû Hanzala! Tell me your opinion on what you heard from Muhammad.’ Abû Sufyãn said, ‘O abû Tha’laba! By Allah, I have heard things that I know, but I do not know what they mean. And I heard things I neither know what they mean, nor what they refer to.’ Al-A’khnas said, ‘So am I. By the one you swore.’

 Then he left abû Sufyã, and went to abû Jahal. He entered his house and said, ‘O abû al-Hakam! What is your opinion on what you heard from Muhammad? Abû Jahal said, ‘What I heard! The family of banû Abd-Manãf and our family compete with one another. They fed people, so we fed people, they engaged in battles, so we engaged in battles, and they gave, so we gave. When we have become close to one another like two competing horses in a race, they said, ‘There is a prophet from our family to whom revelation from the heaven comes. How could we compete with that? By Allah, we will neither believe in him, nor trust him.’ Thereupon, al-A’khans left him.’ 

Learned Lessons

• Allah, Exalted is He, put veils over the hearts of the disbelievers, preventing them from understanding the Quran. He also put deafness in their ears so that they could not hear it. That is because they stubbornly refused to listen to the truth and follow it.  

• Allah was fully aware of how the conditions of the disbelievers were when listening to the Messenger when he recited the Quran. They confided to one another and said that Messenger Muhammad was a magician so do not follow him.

• The attitude of the disbelievers towards the Prophetﷺ was strange. Sometimes they said that he was a magician, other times they said that he was insane, and other times they said that he was a poet. Thus, they became astray, and could not find the right path leading to the truth.  

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 40-44

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 40-44

Reproof for Ascribing a Son and Partner to Allah

There is no greater, more serious, graver lie in human history than ascribing a son and partner to Allah, Exalted is He. Indeed, human beings go extremely beyond the proper limit by saying such a false claim without any proof, or evidence except their corrupt comparison. They compare themselves with Allah, Exalted is He. They do not understand the great difference between the weak created being, needing a son, and partner, and the Creator, who is in no need of a son, or partner. Indeed, Allah is Self-Sufficient and far above having any partner or son. 

(What! Has your Lord chosen sons for you, and made the angles His daughters? Indeed, you utter a grave statement.

Indeed, We have diversely clarified things in this Quran for people that they may be admonished, but it increases them only aversion.  

Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’ 

Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say! 

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.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 40-44]

Relationship with the Previous Part

After warning of worshipping other gods besides Allah, the ayat refer to the ignorance of whoever ascribes a son or partner to Allah, Exalted is He. The ayat reproof the disbelievers, who ascribe a son to Allah. They have chosen the male for themselves, though they know their impotence and weakness, and they have ascribed daughters to Allah, Exalted is He, despite their knowledge that Allah is perfect, and glorious. 

Then the ayat mention that Allah has given many different examples in the Quran so that people may be admonished. These examples present clear proofs, confirming that it is impossible that Allah, Exalted is He, would have a son, or partner. Rather, all that exist in the universe glorify Allah, and are under His control.

Tafsir

(What! Has your Lord chosen sons for you, and made the angles His daughters? Indeed, you utter a grave statement.) [40]

O disbelievers! Has Allah, your Lord, chosen male offspring for you, and made the angels His female offspring. You do not accept such thing for yourselves. If you beget female offspring, you kill them.  It is far from wisdom to attribute to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, what His slaves hate and are ashamed of for themselves. 

In other words, the ayah negates that Allah has chosen female offspring for Himself, and chosen male offspring for the disbelievers. He is far above of what the disbelievers ascribe to Him. 

(Indeed, you utter a grave statement.)

Indeed, ascribing female offspring to Allah by the disbelievers is a grave statement that their corrupt understanding produced.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

They say, ‘The All-Merciful has a child.’ Indeed, you have said an atrocious thing. The heavens are about to burst therefrom, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to crumble to pieces. That they have ascribed a child to the All-Merciful. It does not befit the All-Merciful to have a child. None is there in the heavens and the earth but he comes before the All-Merciful as a slave.  [Quran Surah Maryam: 88-93] 

Then the ayat mention that the Quran that Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammadﷺ contains guidance. 

(Indeed, We have diversely clarified things in this Quran for people that they may be admonished, but it increases them only aversion.) [41]

  
Indeed, Allah has diversely clarified many kinds of proofs, and examples e.g. promises, warnings, stories, and news, in the Quran for people to admonish them, learn lessons therefrom, and become certain that Allah has revealed this Quran to guide them to the right path, leading to Paradise.  

(…but it increases them only aversion.)

Instead of following the guidance of the Quran, the disbelievers insist on disbelief and favor misguidance over guidance. They avoid the Quran because of their stubbornness. 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, commanded His Messengerﷺ to censure the disbelievers for worshipping other gods besides Allah, informing them of clear evidence of their corrupt minds.

(Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’)[42] 

(Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say!)[43]

O Messenger! Inform the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah, that if there had been any gods besides Allah, as they claim, these gods would seek to find out a means and way, leading to Allah in order to contend with Him for sharing His kingdom with Him, just as partners do.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(Had there been deities other than Allah in the heavens and earth, they would have been in a state of disorder. Then, glory belongs to Allah, the Lord of the Throne! He is High above what they allege.)[Q 21:22]

Then, Allah, Exalted is He, says that He is far above what the disbelievers claim.

(Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say!) 

 Allah, Exalted is He, is far above what the disbelievers claim as He has never a son, nor partner. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(Say, ‘He is Allah, the One; Allah is the Owner of all perfection. He neither begot anyone, nor was He begotten, and there is none equal to Him.’) [Q 112: 1-4]

Then the ayat mention that all created beings glorify and praise Allah.

(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.) [44]

Glory is to Allah. The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify and praise Allah. There is no created being in the universe but glorifies Allah, but human beings do not understand their glorification. 

Indeed, this ayah makes the souls fear Allah as it explicitly states that every non-living thing, animals, birds, insects, and whatever being in the universe glorifies and praises Allah, Exalted is He. This clear statement must make every prudent man obey Allah, and sincerely worship Him. 

(Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.)

Indeed, Allah is ever forbearing and forgiving. He does not swiftly punish the sinners; rather, He gives them opportunities to repent and amend their mistakes. He also forgives the sins of whoever repents, and then does righteous deeds. 

Learned Lessons

• Ascribing offspring to Allah, and claiming that the angles are the daughters of Allah is a grave sin. Allah, Exalted is He, is far above having offspring.
• Despite the fact that the Quran contains clear evidence and proofs, denoting the Oneness of Allah, the disbelievers increase in their stubbornness, and avoidance of the right path because of their deviant understanding. 
• Had there been other gods besides Allah, as the disbelievers claim, these gods would seek to find out a means, leading to Allah, the Lord of the Throne, to contend with Him for sharing His kingdom with Him, just as partners usually do. 
• Everything in the universe, living, or non-living, glorifies and praises Allah, but human beings do not understand their glorification and praises. 
• Allah is forbearing so He does not punish the wrongdoers immediately; rather, He gives them chances to repent and amend their mistakes. He is also forgiving, and He forgives the sins of the sinners if they acknowledge their sins, repent, and do righteous deeds.

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 31-39

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 31-39

Some Principles of Muslim Social System

(Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and you. Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.

Approach not fornication. Indeed, it is ever obscenity, and an evil way.

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.

Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity. And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.

Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a just balance. That is good, and results in the best end.

Do not follow conjectures. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked bout.

Do not walk arrogantly on the earth. Indeed, neither can you penetrate the earth nor reach the height of the mountains. 

All that, the wicked of which, are detested by your Lord.   

That is some of what your Lord revealed to you of the wisdom. Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.

[Surah al-Isra: 31- 39]

Relationship with the Previous Part

In the previous part, Allah, Exalted is He, commanded to worship Him alone, be dutiful and kind to the parents, help the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers, and speak kindly to them if one is unable to help them. Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentioned manners of spending wealth, which is spending it moderately, without stinginess nor extravagance.  

After that Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded not to commit fornication nor approach means leading to committing it, not to kill a soul that He has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful reason, and not to dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner.  Then, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill commitment, and give full measure when weighing to people. 

Finally, Allah has commanded not to follow conjectures, be arrogant, and worship other deities besides Him.  

In sum, the commandments have been begun by ordering to worship Allah alone, and concluded with the same command. This indicates that the first thing that must be considered concerning man’s actions, speech, and thought is to worship Allah alone with no partner. 

Tafsir 

After Allah clarified that He alone provides for His creatures, He has prohibited killing one’s children for fear of poverty.  

(Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and you. Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.)[31]

O parents! Do not kill your children for fear of poverty, as Allah will provide for you and them. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:

(There is no living creature on earth but Allah provides it with its sustenance. He knows its dwelling and its final resting place; all of which is recorded in a clear book.)[Q 11:6]

Undoubtedly, the children have right to live, just as their parents have right to live. It is injustice to violate their rights by killing them for fear of expected poverty though Allah guarantees sustenance for the children and their parents. 

(Indeed, killing them is a grave sin.)

Another reason for prohibiting killing the children is that it is a grave sin, leading to loss in the worldly life and the Hereafter. Society approving of killing of children is corrupt because its members are opportunist, having evil thought about Allah, that is to say, He has created His creatures and does not provide for them – Allah, Exalted is He, is far above doing so.

The Messengerﷺ commanded to take care of one’s children, and warned of violating their rights. Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘I asked the Prophetﷺ, ‘What is the greatest sin in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘It is to make another being equal to Allah though He has created you.’ I said, ‘Indeed, it is a great sin.’ Then I said, ‘What comes after it?’ He said, ‘It is to kill your child for fear that he will share food with you.’ I said, ‘Then what comes after that?’ He said, ‘It is to have unlawful sexual intercourse with the wife of your neighbor.’’ 

After Allah, Exalted is He, commanded not to kill offspring for fear of poverty, He has commanded not to commit fornication, nor approach means leading to commit it. 

(Approach not fornication. Indeed, it is ever obscenity, and an evil way.) [32]

Do not commit fornication, nor approach means leading to commit it. Being close to means leading to commit fornication leads to commit it. Fornication is an abominable and grave sin because it blemishes honor, and causes mixing of lineage. It is also violation of prohibitions, and transgression against rights of people, destroying pillars of society by ruining the structure of families, and spreading chaos and diseases.  

Allah, Exalted is He, has described fornication with these characteristics: 1) It is obscenity because it causes mixing of lineage, which leads to ruining societies. 2) It is an abominable sin since its perpetrator becomes detested even in un-conservative societies. 3) It is an evil way of conduct as committing it makes man like animals. 
  

(Approach not fornication.)

The ayah expresses prohibition of fornication by commanding not to come near means leading to it because coming close to its means leads to commit it. This is a wise method of admonition because it is understood from commanding not to come near something that committing it is prohibited. It is as if Allah, Exalted is He, addresses the Muslims, saying, 

O Muslims! Be far from all things leading to commit fornication such as free mixing between men and women, and sitting with each other in privacy.   

Then Allah, Exalted is He, has prohibited killing a soul that it is prohibited to be killed except for a lawful cause.
  

(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.)[33]

(Do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed except for a lawful cause.)

Do not kill a soul that Allah has prohibited to be killed except for a lawful reason. These reasons are: 1) apostasy. 2) A married person, who commits adultery. 3) Killing an innocent soul without a lawful reason. 

Killing without a lawful reason is a great crime because it is corruption, and Allah abhors corruption. Moreover, it is aggression, threat to security, and a means for perishing humanity. 

After prohibiting killing of an innocent soul except for a lawful cause, Allah has confirmed the right of retaliation under the supervision of the state. 

(Whomever is unjustly killed, We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation…)

‘His guardian’ refers to the guardian of the killed person such as his father, son, or brother. If the killed person does not have a relative, then the ruler of the state will be responsible for retaliation.  

‘Given authority to’ refers to the authority the Islamic law gives to the guardian of the killed person over the killer. It gives him the right to demand retaliation from the killer, take blood money, or pardon the killer. No one can abolish this right or force him to waive this right.

Whomever is unjustly killed and without lawful reason, Allah has given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation. If he wants, he can demand retaliation, if he wants, he can take blood money, and if he wants, he can pardon the killer. In this manner, the guardian has a complete right to decide how to deal with the matter. 

(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)

The authority of retaliation of the guardian is restricted by the fact that he must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation, such as killing two persons in return for killing one person, killing another person instead of the killer, or mutilating the killer’s body after killing him. 

Zayd bin Aslam said, ‘The Arab used to refuse to kill the killer of the victim. Instead, they used to demand to kill a person, who is nobler than the killer. Therefore, Allah says, (We have given authority to his guardian to demand retaliation, he must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation.), that is to say, to kill an innocent person.’  

(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.)

The guardian of the killed person must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out retaliation. Allah, Exalted is He, will make him victorious and help him to take his right. 

Allah has given the guardian of the killed person great authority, i.e. he has the right to demand retaliation from the killer, or take blood money. In addition, the ruler and those who are in authority will support him until he attains his right.  

This ayah, which was the first ayah revealed about killing , tackles this crime wisely. First, it prohibits killing because it is one of the major sins, leading to deserving the anger of Allah, Exalted is He. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: 

(Whoever kills a believer deliberately, his punishment will be Hell, wherein he will abide. Allah will be angry with him, curse him, and prepare severe torment for him.)[Q 4:93] 

Second, it gives the guardian of the killed person wise guidance that helps him to calm down, and extinguish his anger.

Sayyid Qutb excellently clarified this idea. He wrote, ‘(He must not transgress the lawful limit in carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, he will be victorious.). Allah has given the guardian of the killed person the right to retaliate, the Islamic law supports him, and the ruler will help him. Thus, he should be just when carrying out the retaliation. Indeed, all authorities support and help him to take his right. Giving the guardian of the killed person authority for retaliation, and mobilizing the authority of Islamic law and the ruler to support him satisfy human nature, and calm down the extreme anger of the guardian of the victim. Such extreme anger may drift, and compel him to go aimlessly right and left amidst the circle of anger and agitation. However, when the guardian of the victim realizes that Allah has given him authority to retaliate, and that the ruler is commanded to help him to retaliate, then his anger will subside and he will not exceed the limit of just retaliation. Man is a human being. He should not be demanded to act against his natural disposition, which wants to retaliate. Therefore, Islam acknowledges this natural disposition, gives it safe boundaries, and does not ignore it, or forcefully impose pardoning on it. Rather, it emphatically invites the guardian to forgiveness, encourages him to practice it, and rewards him for practicing it. However, Islam instructs so after giving the guardian the right for retaliation. The guardian has the right to retaliate or forgive. When the guardian knows that he has both options, it may lead him to pardon and forgive the killer, but if he feels that he is forced to pardon, he may be agitated, and becomes extremist.” 

Indeed, there is no remedy for killing, and all other crimes, except applying the Islamic law prescribed by Allah, the Creator, who knows what brings happiness to humanity. This law combines between mercy and justice. By mercy, the hearts meet after separation, and by justice, the wounds are healed. 

After prohibiting destroying of life by murdering and fornication, then Allah, Exalted is He, has prohibited destroying of wealth, which is the backbone of life, by disposing of orphans’ property unlawfully or unwisely. Allah has commanded disposing of it justly and in the best manner. 

(Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity. And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.)[34] 

O guardians of the orphans! Do not dispose of the orphans’ property except in the manner that will benefit him, such as preserving, and investing, and spending it on lawful means. You should know that any conduct regarding the orphans’ property that falls outside this limit, i.e. being in the best manner and beneficial, is unlawful and prohibited, and Allah will call you to account for it.

(Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity.)

The commandment of not to dispose of the orphans’ property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity does not mean to dispose of it when he reaches maturity. Rather, it means to keep on taking care of the orphans’ property until he reaches maturity, and becomes mature, and then give him his wealth. 

Islam commands to take care of the orphans, and preserve their rights, and prohibits abusing their rights in any manner since they lost their fathers in early age. If the orphan is brought up in a compassionate family, he will grow up, loving those who around him and the society where he lives. 

Qatãda, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘When Allah, Exalted is He, revealed (Do not dispose of the orphan’s property except in the best manner until he reaches maturity.), the companions of the Messenger of Allah were greatly concerned. They stopped from sharing food or other things with the orphans. So Allah revealed, (They ask you – O Prophet – about the orphans’ property. Say, ‘Benefiting them is the best conduct. And if you share your affairs with theirs, then they are your brothers. Allah distinctly knows those who intend corruption, and reform…’) [Q 2:220].Thus they were relieved.’   

After commanding to dispose of the orphans’ property in the best manner, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill every commitment. 

(And fulfill every commitment. Indeed, the commitment will be asked about.)

Fulfill every commitment, whether it is to Allah, Exalted is He, or people. Fulfilling commitment is a virtue, and breaching it is vice since it causes loss of trust and rights. Therefore, it is obligatory to fulfill agreements and commitments. Indeed, it will be asked about fulfilling the commitments before Allah, Exalted is He, and people. 

After a general commandment to fulfill commitments, Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to fulfill commitment when dealing with people in business. 

(Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a just balance. That is good, and results in the best end.)[35]

O believers! Give full measure when you sell and measure to other people, and weigh for them by a just balance. 

The ayah specifically mentions giving full measure when selling because usually cheating happens during it as the seller normally gives less measure than due. 

(That is good, and results in the best end.)

The commandment to give full measure when dealing with people is good for you in the worldly life since it encourages people to deal with you. It will also produce best result in the hereafter, as it will bring you a great reward from Allah, Exalted is He. 

(Do not follow conjectures. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked bout.)[36] 

O man! Do not follow conjectures. They are vices, distort facts, defame other people unjustly, and destroy certain knowledge and facts. Do not follow conjectures regarding any statement, or action. In other words, do not judge things without having accurate knowledge, or a proof. 

This prohibition is also directed to the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah without having accurate knowledge or evidence. Rather, they follow their ancestors, and their soul’s whims. Allah says, interpretation of meaning: 

(The idols are nothing but names that you and your fathers named. Allah has not revealed evidence supporting them. They follow nothing but conjectures and what the souls desire. Indeed, there has come to them guidance from their Lord.)[Q 53:23] 

Conjectures include things such as false testimony, lying, and distorting scientific facts. It is unacceptable to say something without having knowledge about it, do something without having knowledge about it, or defame someone without having knowledge about him. 

(Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart will be asked about.)

The sight and mind are means of knowledge. By the sight, tangible knowledge is acquired, and by the mind, intellectual knowledge is acquired. On the Day of Judgment, man will be asked about his sight and mind. If he uses them in a manner that displeases Allah, Exalted is He, he will be punished, as they must be used in a manner that pleases Allah.  

Qatãda, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘Do not say, ‘I have seen, while you have not seen, I have heard, while you have not heard. Indeed, Allah will ask you about all that.’’  Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(On the day, when the enemies of Allah will be gathered towards the Fire. They all will be kept under control. When they come to it, their ears, eyes, and skins will testify against them about what they used to do.) [Q 41:19-20] 

Ayah (36) presents a complete guiding map to the mind and the heart. Being certain of every news, word, and movement before giving judgment is the best method for attaining happiness in the worldly life and the hereafter. Thus, one must not utter a word, transfer news, narrate a report, judge something, or implement a matter without being certain of the matter intended to be done so that there will no doubt about the accuracy of the matter.  

After prohibiting following conjectures, the ayat prohibit arrogance and haughtiness. 

(Do not walk arrogantly on the earth. Indeed, neither can you penetrate the earth nor reach the height of the mountains.) [37] 

O man! Do not walk arrogantly and conceitedly on the earth. You should be humble and modest. If you walk arrogantly on the earth, neither can you reach the inner part of it, nor can you reach the highest part of the mountains. Thus, be humble and modest. Indeed, whoever is humble for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise his rank. 

Mentioning the word ‘earth’ is a reminder that man’s life began on the earth and will end on the earth after death. Allah says, interpretation of meaning:

(From the earth, We created you, into it, We shall return you, and from it, We shall raise you another time.) [Q 22: 55]

(All that, the wicked of which, are detested by your Lord.) [38] 

  
Allah detests all the evil things that have been mentioned earlier, i.e. prohibiting worshiping other gods besides Allah, being undutiful to the parents, stinginess, extravagance, killing of one’s children, fornication, unlawful killing of innocent souls, and unlawful consuming of orphans’ property.  
On the other hand, Allah is pleased with good ethics, such as being kind to the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers, and fulfilling commitments. 

The aforementioned fine rules and sublime commandments are concluded with the following ayah:

[That is some of what your Lord revealed to you of the wisdom. Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.)[39]

O Prophet! Those things that Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to do, and prohibited you from committing them are some precepts of wisdom that He revealed to you in the Quran.

(Do not worship other gods besides Allah. Thus, you will be thrown into Hell blamed, accursed.) 

O man! Beware of worshipping other gods besides Allah; otherwise, you will be thrown into Hell, blamed and accursed.  
Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘The entire Torah can be found in fifteen ayat of surah the Children of Israel, al-Al-Isra. Then he recited, the following ayah: (Do not worship others with Allah…).’ 

Learned Lessons

• It is prohibited to kill one’s children for fear of poverty. Allah, Exalted is He, will provide for the children and their parents.
• Fornication is prohibited. Whatever thing that may lead to fornication must be avoided.
• Unlawful killing of a soul is prohibited. The guardian of the killed person has the right to retaliate. However, retaliation must be done without exceeding the right limit, e.g. only killing the killer, and not mutilate the killer. Allah has promised to make the guardian victorious by helping him to take his right.
• Disposing of the orphans’ property must be done in the best manner that serves their interests.  
• Fulfilling commitment is obligatory. Man will be asked about fulfilling it on the Day of Judgment.
• It is obligatory to give just measure when selling without decrease. This will bring man happiness in this life and the Hereafter. 
• Following conjectures is prohibited. One must base his judgment on evidence. 
• On the Day of Judgment, man will be asked about how he used his hearing, sight, and mind. 
• Arrogance and haughtiness are prohibited.
• Humbleness is a praiseworthy characteristic. 

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Isra

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 22- 30

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 22- 30

Principles for Organizing Muslim Community

(Do not worship other gods besides Allah, thus, you will become censured, forsaken.

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.

Be submissively, mercifully humble towards them, and say, ‘O my Lord! Have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was a child.’

Your Lord knows best of what is in your minds. If your intentions are righteous, indeed, He is ever Oft-Forgiver to those who are repentant. 

Give the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers their rights, and do not be a squanderer. 

Indeed, the squanderers are brothers of Satan. Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. 

If you turn away from them, seeking mercy from your Lord, then speak to them kind words.

Do not be tight-fisted as if your hand is tied to your neck, nor be entirely open-handed so that you become reproached, destitute. 

Indeed, your Lord gives abundantly to whomever He wills, and sparingly to whomever He wills. Indeed, He is ever All-Aware of, and sees His slaves.

[Quran Surah al-Isra:22- 30]

Relationship with the Previous Part

After Allah, Exalted is He, mentioned that there are two types of people. Those who seek only the reward of this world by their efforts. They will be punished in the Hellfire on the Day of Judgment. And those who seek the reward of the Hereafter by believing in Allah and obeying His commands. They will be rewarded if their intentions are sincere to attain the pleasure of Allah. 

In the following ayat, Allah, Exalted is He, presents detailed explanation about these general concepts. The ayat begin by explaining the reality of belief in Allah, and that He must be worshipped with no partner. Then some of the deeds of the seekers of the hereafter are mentioned. 

Tafsir

(Do not worship other gods besides Allah, thus, you will become censured, forsaken.) [22]

O man! Do not worship other gods besides Allah, Exalted is He. You must worship Allah alone, as there is no deity worthy of worship but Him. If you worship other gods besides Allah, you will be censured. Allah will not help you. He will leave you helpless, and forsaken.

Indeed, it is a painful experience when man suffers from calamity, but he does not find anyone to help and support him. 

The ayah gives the impression that the person, who worships Allah alone, is praised and supported. 

After mentioning the greatest pillar of belief, that is to say, worshipping Allah alone, Allah mentions characteristics denoting belief in Allah, Exalted is He.

(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.)[23]

(Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him…)

Allah prohibits worshipping other gods besides Him, as He is the Creator of everything, and the One, who is able to do everything. Other beings are created, and cannot do anything without the permission and help of Allah. 

(Your Lord  has commanded that you worship none but Him…)

After Allah, Exalted is He, has guided us regarding the greatest matter, that is to say, commanding not to worship other gods besides Him, He says that belief in Him is incomplete unless righteous deeds are present. It is insufficient to acknowledge that Allah exists. One must know what Allah has commanded him to do and perform righteous deeds. That is because the fruit of belief in Allah is performing righteous deeds. The disbelievers of Mecca refused to testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah because they knew that belief in the Oneness of Allah necessitated performing righteous deeds in agreement with the principles of this belief.   

(…and be dutiful to the parents.)  

After commanding to worship Him alone, Allah has commanded to be dutiful to the parents. Commanding to be dutiful to the parents has come after commanding to worship Allah alone in many ayat in the Quran. 

For example, Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(Say, ‘Come! I shall recite to you what your Lord has prohibited you to do. Do not worship other gods besides Him, and be dutiful to your parents…) [Q 6:151]

Perhaps the reason why Allah has commanded to be dutiful to the parents is that they are the cause of the existence of their offspring, and suffer hardship to raise them. Thus, it is obligatory to meet their sacrifice with gratitude and acknowledgement.

Then, Allah, Exalted is He, mentions how a person can be dutiful to his parents.

(If either 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.)[23]

If one or both of parents become old, being under the care of their offspring, they must not say the slightest bad word to their parents, indicating boredom, nor scold them if they do any unpleasant thing. Rather, they must treat their parents respectfully, and speak kind words to them.

(If one or both of them become old…)

It has specifically been referred to the parents’ reaching old age because it is the usual case, and in such age, the parents need to be cared for more than their need to be cared for when they are strong and not very old. However, being dutiful and kind to the parents is an obligation that must be fulfilled regardless the parents are old or not. 

(Be submissively, mercifully humble towards them, and say, ‘O Allah! Have mercy on them as they brought me up when I was a child.’) [24]

Besides speaking kindly to the parents, one must be extremely humble with them, respect them, and not refuse any of their requests, as long they do not involve disobedience to Allah. He must also be extremely merciful towards them. He should pray to Allah, saying, ‘O Allah! Be merciful to my parents and forgive their sins as they brought me up when I was a child.’ 

A literal translation of ‘Be submissively, mercifully humble towards them,’ will be as follows: ‘Mercifully, lower the wing of humility to them…’

The word ‘wing’ is used to indicate extreme humbleness with the parents. It likens being greatly merciful and humble towards the parents to the bird when it embraces its young birds with its wings out of mercy and love. Moreover, treating the parents very mercifully and humbly is likened to the bird’s wings because when the bird wants to cultivate its young birds, it embraces them with its wings. When the bird wants to fly, it raises its wings, and when it wants to stop flying, it lowers its wings. Thus, lowering the wings is used to refer to humbleness and mercifulness with the parents.  

Kindness to the parents is done during their life and after their death by praying to Allah to forgive their sins and doing righteous deeds that bring them reward. 

If the parents are disbelievers, their offspring may pray to Allah for them by asking Allah to guide them to believe in Allah alone. But if they die as disbelievers, it is prohibited for the believers to pray for the disbelievers even if they are their close relatives. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(It is impermissible for the Prophet and the believers to pray for forgiveness for the disbelievers even if they are close relatives after it has become clear to them that they will be dwellers of Hellfire.)[Q 9:113]

It is impermissible for Prophet Muhammadﷺ and those who believe in the Oneness of Allah to pray to Allah for forgiveness for the disbelievers even if they are close relatives after it has become clear to them that they die as disbelievers in Oneness of Allah and His messenger so that they will be dwellers of Hellfire. That is because Allah will never forgive the sins of the disbeliever. 

(Your Lord knows best of what is in your minds. If your intentions are righteous, indeed, He is ever Oft-Forgiver to those who are repentant.) [25]

O people! Allah knows best of what is within your minds, whether good or evil. He knows whether you intend to be dutiful and kind to your parents, or you conceal evil intentions within minds. He will requite you for them. Therefore, beware of concealing evil intentions.   

(If your intentions are righteous, indeed, He is ever Oft-Forgiver to those who are repentant.)

If your intentions are righteous, and you intend to be kind and dutiful to your parents, Allah will accept your repentance as He forgives the sins of those who repent of their sins.

The ayah is a severe warning to whoever neglects the rights of his parents or any of the rights of Allah on him. It also promises those who repent of their sins that Allah will accept their repentance. 

The Quran repeats commanding the children to be kind to their parents, but it does not command the parents to be kind to their children. That is because in normal life circumstances, efforts and care are given to living and young beings, i.e. the children. It is rare that care is directed to old generations. Thus, the children need to be reminded of taking care of their parents, and being merciful to them. Moreover, parents naturally take care of their children and sacrifice for them. On the other hand, children usually forget their parents’ sacrifice, and their offspring and spouses become their first priority. Therefore, children are needed to be admonished and reminded of the rights of their parents. 

In the previous ayah, Allah commanded to worship Him alone, and linked it to being dutiful to the parents. Similarly, Allah commanded to thank Him and linked it to being thankful to the parents. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(We have commanded man to be dutiful to his parents. His mother conceives him, increasingly suffering weakness. His weaning lasts for two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents, and to Me is the final return.)[Q31:14] 

Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased him, said, ‘I asked the Prophetﷺ, which deed is best loved by Allah?’ He said, ‘Offering the prayers at their appointed time.’ Then Abdul-Allah said, ‘What comes next?’ The Prophetﷺ said, ‘Being dutiful to the parents.’ Abdul-Allah said, ‘What comes next?’ The Prophetﷺ said, ‘Fighting for the sake of Allah.’’  

In the previous narration, the Prophetﷺ informed that being dutiful to the parents is the best deed after offering the prayer, which is the greatest pillar of Islam after testifying that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah, at its appointed time. 

Being dutiful and kind to the parents is not restricted to Muslim parents. One must be dutiful and kind even to non-Muslim parents. Asma’, the daughter of abû Bakr, may Allah be pleased with them, reported, ‘My mother came to visit me while she was non-Muslim during the period of the treaty between the Muslims and the disbelieves. I consulted the Messengerﷺ. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! My mother came, seeking to visit me. Shall I be kind to her?’ He said, ‘Yes. Be kind to her.’’ 

After clarifying man’s obligations towards His Creator, Allah, and his parents, the ayat mention his obligations towards his relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers.

(Give the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers their rights, and do not be a squanderer.) [26] Indeed, the squanderers are brothers of Satan. Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.) [27]

(Give the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers their rights.)

A relative is a person, who has blood relationship, or affinity, with another person. 

The poor is a person, who does not have wealth, or has but it is insufficient.

The wayfarer is a traveler, who lost his wealth. 

O man! Give your relatives their rights, e.g. be kind to them, visit them, and help them with money if they are poor. Likewise, give the poor and the wayfarer their rights by helping them with money and being kind to them. 

The ayah mentions one’s relatives first because they have more right than other people. The Messengerﷺ said, ‘Giving charity to a poor person is an act of charity, and giving it to a relative includes two things: giving charity and maintaining ties of kinship.’  

(…and do not be a squanderer. Indeed, the squanderers are brothers of Satan. Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.)

As Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded to give charity, He prohibits spending wealth wastefully.  

O man! Do not spend wealth wastefully and in things involving disobedience to Allah. Rather, spend it wisely to satisfy your needs and help the needy. 

Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(And those who are neither extravagant nor niggardly when spending, their spending is moderate between the two extremes.)[Q 25:67]

 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, refers to the ugliness of extravagant spending by stating that it is the practice of Satan. He says that the actions of those who spend their wealth wastefully is like the action of Satan. They are the brothers of Satan in the worldly life and the Hereafter. Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘Spending wealth unrightfully is wastefulness.’ 

Mujãhid said, ‘If one spends all his wealth rightfully, he is not extravagant, and if he even spends a small part of it unrightfully, he is extravagant.’ 

(Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.)  

Satan is ever ungrateful to Allah since he denies the blessings of Allah on him, and disobeys Him. 

Al-Karkhy said, ‘Whomever, Allah grants prestige and wealth, and spends it on what displeases Allah, is ungrateful to the blessings of Allah because he is like Satan in attribute and action.’ 

Likening the action of the extravagant to the action of Satan in his evil behavior and disobedience to Allah gives the impression that extravagance is one of the ugliest attributes that the prudent person should avoid so that he will not be like Satan. 

Then the ayat mention what the believer should do if he is unable to help his relatives and the poor. 

(If you turn away from them, seeking mercy from your Lord, then speak to them kind words.) [28]

If you turn away from your relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers because you do not have anything to give them, and you are waiting for sustenance that Allah may grant you, then speak to them kindly, showing them that you care for them and what bring them happiness. Say to them, for example, ‘I do not have anything to offer you now. If Allah grants me sustenance, I will give you some of it.’

The instruction in the ayah is a wonderful discipline and pleasant statement. It instructs not to turn away from the relatives, the poor, and the wayfarers ignorantly, being proud of the wealth and power one has. Rather, one may turn away from them humbly, showing weakness, and hoping that Allah will grant him sustenance that will enable him to support and help them. 

Then the ayat mention the best manner for spending wealth.

(Do not be tight-fisted as if your hand is tied to your neck, nor be entirely open-handed so that you become reproached, destitute.) [29] 

Allah, Exalted is He, gives an example for a stingy person, who does not spend his wealth on fulfilling Allah’s obligations on him and an extravagant person, who spends his wealth immoderately. 

Allah, Exalted is He, likens the stingy person to someone whose hand is tied to his neck so he cannot use it to give or take things. And He, Exalted is He, likens the extravagant person to someone whose hand is widely open so it becomes unable to hold anything.

O man! Be moderate in all your affairs. Spend your wealth moderately so that you become neither stingy nor extravagant. Being stingy or extravagant will make you reproached and prevent you from achieving your goals since you will lose your wealth. 

Abû Hurarya, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophetﷺ said, ‘Two angels descend from heavens every day. One of them says, ‘O Allah! Give compensation to whoever spends on your cause.’ And the other angel says, ‘O Allah! Destroy the wealth of whoever does not spend on your cause.’’ 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions that He alone controls all affairs. He is the One, Who gives, and withholds giving. 

(Indeed, your Lord gives abundantly to whomever He wills, and sparingly to whomever He wills. Indeed, He is ever All-Aware of, and sees His slaves.)[30]

O man! Allah – your Lord – gives sustenance abundantly to whomever He wills, and He gives it sparingly to whomever He wills. Allah controls everything in this universe, and manages it wisely since He knows best about the visible and invisible circumstances of people, and nothing is hidden from Him, Exalted is He. Indeed, Allah gives and withholds due to wisdom He knows. He knows whom deserves to be rich, and whom deserves to be poor. Differences in the amount of sustenance given to people are for wisdom that Allah knows. 

Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(Whatever mercy Allah grants to people, none can withhold, and whatever He withholds thereof, none can grant what He withheld. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.)[Q 35:2]

Learned Lessons 

• Worshipping Allah alone is the foundation of faith, and worshipping other gods besides Allah is the principle cause of misguidance and loss. 

• Being dutiful and kind to the parents is obligatory. Allah has commanded to worship Him alone and He links it to being dutiful to the parents.

• Being dutiful and kind to the parents includes abstaining from saying the slightest bad word to them.

• It is obligatory to obey the parents regarding things involving obedience to Allah, but it is not obligatory to obey them regarding things involving disobedience to Allah, Exalted is He.

• One must be dutiful to his parents even if they are non-Muslims, but if they die as non-Muslims, it is impermissible for the Muslim to pray to Allah to forgive them. 

• Allah knows what is in the hearts and minds of His slaves. He knows their good or evil intentions, and forgives the sins of the repentant. 

• Allah has commanded people to be kind and help the relatives, the poor, and wayfarers.

• Islam prohibits extravagance. Allah has described the extravagant as being the brothers of Satan.

• Sublime ethics necessitate that when one does not have wealth to help the needy he should politely speak to them, and tells them that when his circumstances improve he will give them.  

• Islam commands to spend wealth moderately, without being stingy, nor extravagant.

• Allah knows what is good for His slaves. He gives – out of His wisdom - abundantly to whomever He wills, and sparingly to whomever He wills. 

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

Tafsir Surah al-Isra: Ayah 18- 21