Day 154 · Surah An-Isra' Verses 18-27

Al-Isra' 18–27

Life is described as a choice between pursuing the world or the Hereafter with their respective consequences, then detailed are the obligations of monotheism, honoring parents, supporting relatives, and avoiding extravagance.

• Those who pursue worldly pleasures are given their portion and then enter Hell-fire in a state of disgrace, while those who strive for the Hereafter with a foundation of faith are rewarded with Paradise.
• The difference in life's provisions among people is how Allah tests who is attracted to the world and who is drawn to the Hereafter.
• The key to success in the Hereafter is to affirm the Oneness of Allah, while the cause of wretchedness is associating partners with Him.
• The obligations mentioned include affirming monotheism, treating parents with kindness and speaking gently to them as well as praying for their forgiveness, and helping relatives, the poor and travelers.
• Those who are extravagant are called brothers of Satan who are ungrateful to Allah, and if one has nothing to give, one should speak to them with gentle words.

Verses 18-20 explain that life is a choice. There are people who choose and pursue worldly pleasures, so Allah will give it to them. However, in the Hereafter they will enter Hell-fire in a state of disgrace. But there are also those who choose the Hereafter, strive hard to attain it, remain patient in trials on the path to the Hereafter, and whose life is based on faith in Allah and the other pillars of faith, then Allah will bless their life and struggle and reward them in the Hereafter with Paradise. Each choice has its consequences and its just recompense.

Verse 21 explains that Allah's favoring some people with worldly provisions is a way to test who is influenced by worldly pleasures and who is drawn to the pleasures of the Hereafter.

Verse 22 explains that the main key to success in the Hereafter is to affirm the Oneness of Allah. While the main cause of wretchedness in the Hereafter is to associate partners with Allah (shirk).

Verses 23-27 explain several main obligations of believers: a) Affirm the Oneness of Allah. b) Show kindness to both parents, speak gently and kindly to them, and pray that they receive Allah's forgiveness. c) Help relatives, the poor and travelers. d) Avoid extravagance, for the extravagant are brothers of Satan, and Satan is ungrateful to Allah.

Verse 28 continues the previous verse regarding showing kindness to parents, relatives and other poor. If you do not have money to give to relatives and other poor, then speak to them with gentle words.

Source: Mushaf Tadabbur, Fathuddin Ja'far

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