Religion of Islam

Safwan Alhawsawi

MENA 160A1

Dr. Maha Nassar

9/24/2021

Qur'an Paper

There are 114 surahs in the Quran, each divided into ayahs (verses). The Surahs are of unequal length, which is similar to the ayahs. Surah 17 has 111 verses. It is the most important surah to the Islamic religion, as teaches about the night journey, of prophet Mohammad. It is the night which prophet Mohammad traveled by night from the sacred mosque in Jerusalem to the farthest mosque in the surroundings through a desert. The chapter has many lessons which can be learned from it. Among them is the lesson about the day of judgment; teachings about hell; exhortation of prayer; Allah’s commandments; and life after death, as discussed below.

The lesson about the day of judgment. The teaching has been expounded in various verses in Quran. Verse 13 in surah 17, the verse expounds on how during the day of resurrection a record will be brought out for everyone, and that every soul will be enough to calculate their account. The topic is also discussed in verse 15, of the same surah. The verse explains that whoever accepts the guidance will be for their good, whole for those who will lead astray, owe unto them, for they will perish o the day of punishment. According to the Muslim religion, this was necessitated, because the foolish people will always try to attribute their misfortunes to external causes. One’s fate depends on one's good or bad. One’s fate was decided by their good or bad quality and judgment.

Lastly, verse 71, which explains the summon that each community will receive along with their imams, who will be given their records on the right hand it read it out, and they will be dealt with unjustly in the least. In summary, the four verses are talking in the context of the day of judgment; what will happen on that day. A record will be brought out for every person, and an imam will be presented it on the right hand, so that they may read it out about the account of everyone. Those who will have a positive account will be good at the afterlife. Those who have a negative account, owe unto them, for they will face punishment.

Teaching about hell is the second teaching as discussed in the 17th surah. This teaching has been emphasized in various verses. Firstly, verse 8, starts that Allah, is full of mercy; he forgives those who repent. But those who keep on repeating the same mistake, there is hell, which is informed of prison for those who defy the rules of Allah. In this verse, hell is viewed as a prison bed for the disbelievers. Quran continues in verse 10, to state that there is a prepared agonizing punishment, for those who do not believe in the world to come after death. They will be punished in hell. The disbelievers of thereafter will be prepared for a grievous chastisement.

In verse 18, Quran explains the conditions that will be found in hell, that hell shall burn and disgrace those with fleeting life. Hell will be prepared for those who walk away from the teachings of Allah. In summary, the teaching of hell passed to those who failed to adhere to his teaching. They will punish throw being put into hell, where they will experience disgrace and rejection. This was meant to warn disbelievers who do not take a lesson from admonitions of the Quran should be ready to undergo that chastisement which Israelites had to suffer.

Exhortation of prayer is another teaching in chapter 17 of the Quran. Muslims are supposed to establish prayers. In verse 78, Quran states the importance of practicing regular prayers. Prayer five daily; Fajr (sunrise prayer); Dhuhr (noon prayer); Asr (afternoon prayer); Maghrib (sunset prayer), and Isha (night prayer). While carrying out these prayers, one is to hold fast to the recitation of the Quran, especially at dawn. Muslims have to establish Salat immediately after the mention of obstacles and adversities. The establishment of Salat enables one to persevere the adverse circumstances, that they may face during the day. Verse 80 gives an example of how prayer should be conducted.

Verse 84, states that everyone may have their way of presenting their prayers, gratitude, and needs to God, but Allah, is fully aware of them all who the best guided. In summary, prayers are very important in the Muslim religion. Prayers connect Muslims with their creator. It is only through prayers that we can ask for forgiveness, express our gratitude to Allah, and present our needs. Prayers aid in editing our accounts in Allah, which shall be presented during the day of judgment and condemnation.

Allah’s commandments. Allah passes his commandments from verses 23-30. Verse 25, states that we should not worship any other but Him. One should obey, serve and submit to Allah, without question. Verse 26, states that we should be good to our parents, and talk to them with respect, even when they attain old age. where he states that one should not kill their children despite the challenges that they may be facing. The verse too seeks to cut out the movement on birth control measures. Allah promises that he will provide for the children, therefore, abortion should not be carried out, or any other method that can be used to kill children. Do not come near adultery, is verse 32 in this surah. The verse warns people against committing adultery or fornication. The community should develop an environment that prevents and eradicates indecency. Do not kill any person whom Allah has forbidden to kill. This prohibition is meant that people should not commit suicide.

Verse 34, states that one should go near the property of an orphan unless they have a good intention. Islamic law seeks to safeguard the rights of orphans. This commandment was used to make and even to date, it is used to make laws that cover the cases of those citizens who are unable to guard their rights. In summary, the ten commandments are Allah, which is a universal message. Allah gives human beings instruction on how to live a good life. When they follow the commandments keenly, they are training themselves on how to get to heaven after they die. The commandments tell Muslims how to live a holy life.

Lastly, the last theme that I discovered in the text, is the theme of life after death. This theme is discussed from verses 45-52. Quran states that there is a difference between believers and non-believers, who do not believe in Hereafter. In verse 45, Allah promises his believers, (those who recite Quran) protection against the non-believers about the Hereafter. Allah promises he believes that he will cover their hearts. The non -believers’ ears will be blocked with heaviness. Those who do not benefit from Hereafter, cannot benefit from Quran. the man who does not consider the Quran worth, they will never reach to the depth of his heart. Verse 47 expounds, that we are aware of the things that we wish to hear. Those who do not believe in Hereafter, are much aware of their deeds, and that they perform them willingly.

Lastly, verse 49, which states that the non-believers will be turned into dust bones and dust particles. This meant that the non-believers will be turned into and expressed into different options, at different times. In summary, this theme sought to expound more on the experience’s es that the non-believers who do not recite Quran, what they will face. It also states the kind of experiences that they will gain regarding this, disobedience.

In conclusion, surah 17, ‘the Night Journey’, is the most important surah to the life of Muslims. This surah, gives the Muslims the directions, that they need to follow, for them to become true believers of Allah. The Surah has the ten commandments that the Muslims have to follow, for them to have life after death. This surah is a symbol of peace and harmony in the daily lives of Muslims. The verses in the chapter acknowledge that Allah is the giver of knowledge to one of His own choices. Hereafter life is taught as well the day of the judgment as also taught in this chapter for the Muslims to take heed of them Allah is full of mercies. Therefore, Whenever Muslims recite the Quran and ask for forgives, Allah always gives them a second chance.

Reference

Haleem, A. (n.d) 17. The Night Journey, EBSCO Publishing. Retrieved from https: //QuranSurah17NightJourney.pdf