Surah Isra opens with the mystic Vision of the Ascension of the Holy Prophet; he was transported from the Sacred Mosque (of Makkah) to the Farthest Mosque (of Jerusalem) in a night and shown some of the Signs of Allah. The majority of Commentators take this Night Journey literally, but allow that there were other occasions on which a spiritual Journey on Vision occurred. Even on the supposition of a miraculous bodily Journey, it is conceded that the body was almost transformed into spiritual fineness. The Hadith literature gives details of this Journey and its study helps to elucidate its...

This is the seventh and last Surah of the series devoted to Revelation and hereafter. It belongs to early Makkan period, with the possible exception of one or two verses. The theme of this Surah is the certainty of the day of Judgement and its adjustment of true Values (56:1-56); Allah's Power, Goodness and Glory (56:57-74); and the truth of Revelation (56:75-96). When the Day of Judgement comes, the world as we know it will be shaken to its foundation, and men shall be sorted out into three sorts; those nearest to Allah, in exalted Misery (56:1-56). Surely the power and Goodness of Allah, of...

The fourth verse contains the memorable declaration; "This day have I perfected your religion for you" which was promulgated in 10 H., during the Prophet's last Pilgrimage to Makkah. Chronologically it was the last verse to be revealed. Summary- Beginning with an appeal to fulfil, as sacred, all obligations, human and divine, it points to certain regulations about food, as conducive to a sober and social life, without superstition and without bias or hatred (5:1-5).Cleanliness of body, and justice and uprightness of dealing are nearest to Piety (5:6-11). If the Jews and Christians turned back...

In this chapter we have the lessons of the Battle of Badr enforced in their larger aspects; the question of war booty; the true virtues necessary for fighting the good fight; victory against odds; clemency and consideration for one's own and for others in the hour of victory. As regards booty taken in battle, - the first point to note is that that should never be our aim in war. It is only an adventitious circumstances, a sort of windfall. - Secondly, no soldier or troop has any inherent right to it. A righteous war is a community affair, and any accessions resulting from it belong to Allah,...

This is a series of seven Surahs (40-46) to which are affixed the Abbreviated Letters Ha Mim. Chronologically they all belong to the same period, the later Makkan Period, and they immediately follow the last Surah in time. As to the precise meaning of Ha Mim no authoritative explanation is available. If Mim here has a signification similar to Mim in Alif, Lam, Mim, it means the End of things, the Last Day, and all these Surahs direct our special attention to that Ha, the emphatic guttural, in contrast with the softer breathing of Alif, may be meant to suggest that the Beginning is only for...

The Quran is a direction and a warning. This life is brief and subject to vicissitudes. Our ideas of Time are defective, as shown in the story of Companions of Cave, who had faith, truth, patience, and other virtues. But their life was a mystery that can be fathomed but by few. Knowledge is for Allah: be on your guard against idle conjectures and cocksure hopes. Learn from the Quran the Parable of the man who is puffed up with this world's goods and is brought to naught. This life is uncertain and variable: goodness and virtue are better and more durable. For the Day of Reckoning will come,...