Surah 17 (Al-Isrâ), Verses 41-60 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s episode of 17 Verses is from Surah 17, Al-Isrâ or the Night Journey, verses 41-60. These verses posit that if any other Gods existed, they would have tried to dethrone the one God, Allah. Belief in the hereafter is mentioned as a necessary trait for understanding the Qur’an. Lastly, it is posited that invented Gods have no power to relieve people from distress and also gives God’s reasons for not sending the same signs or miracles to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as were sent to other Prophets.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem. In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

We have indeed explained things in various ways in this Qur’an so that they may receive admonition, yet, it has only added to their aversion.[41] Tell them: If there were other gods besides Him as the disbelievers (mushrikeen) say, they would have certainly tried to find a way to dethrone the Master of the Throne.[42] Glory be to Him! He is far above the things that they say about Him.[43] The seven heavens, the earth and all beings therein declare His glory. There is not a single thing but glorifies Him with His praise, but you do not understand their hymns of His glory. The fact is that He is very Forbearing, Forgiving.[44] 17:[41-44]

When you recite the Qur’an, We put a hidden barrier between you and those who do not believe in the hereafter.[45] We cast a veil upon their hearts and make them hard of hearing, so they do not comprehend it. When in the Qur’an you mention His Oneness, they turn their backs in disgust.[46] We are quite aware what they really wish to hear when they listen to you, and what they say when they converse in private. These wrongdoers say to one another: “The man you follow is surely bewitched.”[47] 17:[45-47]

See what sort of examples they make up about you! They have surely gone astray and cannot find the Right Way.[48] They say: “What! When we are reduced to bones and dust, shall we really be raised up again into a new creation?”[49] Tell them: “(Yes, most certainly you shall be brought back to life), even if you be stones or iron[50] or even something harder than this that you may think of.” Then they will ask: “Who will restore us?” Say: “The One Who created you the first time.” Then they will shake their heads at you and ask: “Well, when will this be?” Say, “It may be quite soon![51] It will be on the Day when He will call you and you will rise up in response to it, with His praise, and you will think that you remained in the state of death but a little while.”[52] 17:[48-52]

Tell My servants that they should speak only what is the best. Surely, shaitân stirs up trouble among them. The fact is that shaitân is an open enemy to mankind.[53] Your Lord is fully aware of your circumstances. He may be merciful to you if He wants, or He may punish you if He wills. O Prophet, We have not sent you to be their guardian.[54] Your Lord is fully aware of all that is in the heavens and in the earth. We have exalted some prophets above the others and gave Zaboor to Daûd.[55] 17:[53-55]

Say: “Pray if you will to those whom you assert besides Him; they have neither the power to relieve you from any distress nor to change it.”[56] Those to whom they pray, themselves seek the means of access to their Lord – trying as to who can be nearer – they hope for His Mercy and fear His punishment, for the punishment of your Lord is terrible indeed.[57] 17:[56-57]

There is not a town (population) but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment; this fact has been recorded in the Book of Records.[58] We refrain from sending signs (miracles) only because the men of former generations treated them as false. For example, We sent the she-camel to the people of Thamûd – a manifest sign – but they wronged her. We send the signs only by way of warning, and if people reject the sign after receiving it, they are doomed.[59] Remember, O Muhammad! We told you that your Lord encompasses mankind. We have made the Vision (Al-Isrâ’), which We showed you (as an eye witness and not as a dream), and the cursed tree of Zaqqûm, which is mentioned in the Qur’an, a test for mankind. We are giving them warning to be fearful but it only increases their inordinate transgression.[60] 17:[58-60]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.