The Night Journey or Banī Isrāʼīl is the 17th chapter of the Quran, with 111 verses. It is about Isra and the Children of Israel. This sura is part of a seriesAl-Musabbihat surahs because it begins with the glorification of Allah. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the supposed revelation, it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, instead of later in Medina.
Q17:1 The transportation of Muhammad to "the farthest Mosque".
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 this is commonly taken to be the Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem. Some scholars disagree about this. While the city of Jerusalem is not mentioned by name anywhere in the Qur'an, it is identified in various Hadith. 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, despite it being built many years after Mohammed's death, and the 'Sacred Mosque' refers to Masjid al-Haram. The surah also refers to the other prophets, for example, Musa. 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, 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.
Q17:8 Hell
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 :
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.
Q17:26 Verse of Dhul Qurba
The verse relates to the controversies of the land of Fadak in modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Q17:70 Aliens
Verse 17:70 tells that mankind has been given a position "above many of those whom we created" This indicates that there may be other races superior to human beings. It also points out the possible existence of alien life, excluding angels and jinns.
Q17:71 Day of Judgement
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 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.
Q17:104 Children of Israel
Verse 17:104 'And We said thereafter unto the Children of Israel, “Dwell in the land. And when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We shall bring you as a mixed assembly.”' Verse 17:104 tells that the Children of Israel will be gathered together from different nations and will dwell securely in the Promised Land, and this will happen when the promise of the hereafter will be near.
