Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

Muhammad (SAWS); as if it invites us, the nation in charge of this Book, the Qur'an,
to recognize its value and make sure not to let go of it like our predecessors did lest
Allah (SWT) would replace us as He did with them.
Make it your Imam
Now, since we are roughly in the middle of our journey with explanation of the Ever-
Glorious Qur'an, let us go through the surah and try to feel its greatness through its
ayahs.
The transfer of the Book through nations
The surah starts with the Al-Isra'incident as Allah (SWT) says what can be translated
as, “All Extolment be (to Him), Who made His bondman to set forth by night
from the Inviolable Mosque to the Further (Literally: Remotest) Mosque,
around which We have blessed...” (TMQ, 17:01). In the next ayah, Allah (SWT)
says what can be translated as, “And We brought Mûsa (Moses) the Book...”
(TMQ, 17:02). This ayah comes after the incident of Al-Isra’ to emphasize that
mentioning it is to declare the transfer of the Scripture from Israelites to the nation of
Muhammad (SAWS). Thus, we find that the second ayah tackles the nation that had
the scripture before as Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “and We brought
Mûsa (Moses) the Book and We made it a guidance to the Seeds (Or: Sons) of
Israel) (saying), “Do not take to yourselves any trustee apart from Me” (TMQ,
17:02). How did the scripture reach them Allah (SWT) says what can be translated
as, “Offspring of whomever We carried with Nûh, (Noah) surely he was a
constantly thankful bondman." (TMQ, 17:03).
Hence, the three ayahs are a concrete representation of the transfer of the scripture
among nations. What did they do with the scripture Why were they replaced The
answer is in what Allah (SWT) says and can be translated as, “And We decreed for
Seeds (Or: Sons) of Israel) in the Book: “Indeed you will definitely corrupt in the
earth twice, and indeed you will definitely (become) exalted a great exaltation.”
(TMQ, 17:04).
The Ayahs from 4 to 7 go on to demonstrate how the previous nation did not assume
its responsibility until we reach the pivotal ayahs that declares that the scripture is the
responsibility of the Muslim nation. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“Surely this Qur’an guides to (the way) that is more upright, and gives good
tidings to the believers who do deeds of righteousness that they will a great
reward, And (gives the tidings) that that the ones who do not believe in the
Hereafter, We have readied for them a painful torment” (TMQ, 17:09-10).
Therefore, cling to this Book, and let it be your shield, for it guides you, Muslims, to
what is best for you.
The record of the afterlife
Amidst the speech about the Day of Judgment comes an ayah about the Book of the
Day of Judgment, the Book of the good and bad deeds, in order to illustrate the
destiny of those who do not stick to the Allah's Book on earth. Allah (SWT) says