The Majestic Quran

17. Al-Isra’ The Ascension This late Makkan chapter opens with the miracle of the Ascension: the Prophet’s r night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and from there to celestial heights, finishing in the Divine Presence. The journey is an unspoken announcement of the aptness of the message of the Prophet r for the entire world, and hints to the coming glory of Islam. The Ascension took place on 27 Rajab, seventeen months before the Hijrah in the year of sorrow. The purpose of this two-phased journey was, “To show him Our signs”. The hadith literature gives graphic details of this momentous journey. The verse begins with the Divine attribute, “Subhan”, ‘the one who is flawless without defect or weakness, the Glorified.’ The Quran states the One who took His servant on this miraculous journey is the One who is free from every kind of weakness. Whose mere command ‘kun’ (be) and ‘fa-yakun’ (it becomes), is enough. The Quran is mentioned eleven times in the chapter, describing its various aspects: a guide to the straightest path; an explanation of divine proofs; why disbelievers cannot understand it so they turn away from it; a test of faith; a recitation at dawn with special effects; a healing and Divine Kindness; an inimitable masterpiece; full of powerful arguments for God’s existence; the truth; and revealed in comprehensible bites. Man’s nature is described ‘hasty’ and why he craves for instant gratification and immediate results. Is that why people love the fleeting world, instead of the everlasting Hereafter? To help humanity overcome this weakness the chapter presents a new, just and peaceful way of living – an outline for a new world order: here