The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

17. THE NIGHT JOURNEY
A Meccan sura framed by references to the Children of Israel at the beginning,
and to Pharaoh at the end. The bulk of the sura deals with the Quran as
guidance and warning, Muhammad, and the nature of prophecy, especially the
fact that he is a human being and incapable himself of producing miracles. It
also warns of Iblis’s promise to tempt mankind and of the fate of the disbelievers,
and it gives a series of commandments (verses 22–39). The Night
Journey, which gives the sura its title, is mentioned in verse 1 and again in verse
60. Towards the end of the Meccan period, God caused Muhammad, in the
space of a single night, to journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and from there to
heaven and back again.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Glory to Him who made His servant travel by night from the
sacred place of worship a to the furthest place of worship, b whose
surroundings We have blessed, to show him some of Our signs: He
alone is the All Hearing, the All Seeing. 2 We also gave Moses the
Scripture, and made it a guide for the Children of Israel. ‘Entrust
yourselves to no one but Me, 3 you descendants of those We carried
with Noah: he was truly a thankful servant.’
4 We declared to the Children of Israel in the Scripture, ‘Twice
you will spread corruption in the land and become highly arrogant.’
5 When the first of these warnings was fulfilled, We sent against you
servants of Ours with great force, and they ravaged your homes.
That warning was fulfilled, 6 but then We allowed you to prevail
against your enemy. We increased your wealth and offspring and
made you more numerous––7 whether you do good or evil it is to
your own souls––and when the second warning was fulfilled [We
sent them] to shame your faces and enter the place of worship as they
did the first time, and utterly destroy whatever fell into their power.
8 Your Lord may yet have mercy on you, but if you do the same
again, so shall We: We have made Hell a prison for those who defy
[Our warning].
a In Mecca. b In Jerusalem.