Surah Al-Isra' , 17...Epilogue

Rare recitation of Surah al-Isra' by Shaykh Abdul Basit,

.....on inner jihad and ihsan



Once the external material struggle had been overcome and the Muslims had achieved victory, a new internal struggle took prominence as the self learned to do battle with its ego, pride, and desires. Muhammad was taught  that to become closer to God he should perform extra prayers and devote more time to personal, spiritual regeneration and development.

Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn is ever witnessed. (78) 

In the course of my research on the Prophet's personality and spiritual devotion to God, I was overwhelmed by the feeling that humanity has never known a more devout and pious worshiper than Muhammad. This is firmly supported by the Qur'an and amply documented in the Prophet's recorded sayings and biographies. Muhammad was the last of the illustrious chain of prophets sent by God to mankind, and he was the seal of prophethood. His coming has been alluded to in the scriptures of the Jews and the Christians and they were aware of his imminent arrival. When the impending event occurred, the  true believers among them accepted him without hesitation. God says:

With truth have We sent it down, and with truth hath it descended. And We have sent thee as naught else save a bearer of good tidings and a warner. (105) And (it is) a Qur'an that We have divided, that thou mayst recite it unto mankind at intervals, and We have revealed it by (successive) revelation. (106) Say: Believe therein or believe not, lo! those who were given knowledge before it, when it is read unto them, fall down prostrate on their faces, adoring, (107) Saying: Glory to our Lord! Verily the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled. (108)

History informs us that as the Roman empire began to decline, the Christians of Syria and Egypt accepted Islam willingly and en masse, and, together with the Arabs, they carried it forward to all corners of the globe. This is a vindication of the truth of the above verses and a strong indication of the true and genuine faith of large sections of pre-Islamic Jewish and Christian communities 

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali
" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " 





Commentary and reflection on verse 83 to 89 by Dr Lutfi al Patani :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7UD2VoBwkM