Sūrat al-Isrā' (Part 12)
Part 12 of observations on the organization and structure of Sūrat al-Isrā'
This is a continuation of our series on Sūrat al-Isrā’. Check out last week’s post for Part 11.
As a reminder, here is the proposed structure for the overall sūrah.
The final section, Section [A’] – Praise, Messenger, Quran (105-111) concludes the sūrah with a ring structure.
CONNECTIONS
[A4]/[A4’] – Allah ﷻ explicitly tells the Messenger ﷺ that the Quran was sent down over a long period of time so that he may recite it and teach it to people gradually. The Quran was meant to be learned in a measured way. Similarly, the Messenger ﷺ is commanded at the conclusion of the sūrah to praise Allah ﷻ in a balanced manner, in such a way as to not go beyond sacred boundaries—unlike what we see from other religious groups. Thus, we are taught to recite the Quran “not too loud, or too quietly, but in a balanced way between that,” and to also praise Allah ﷻ, “the One who has not taken a son and has had no partner in [His] dominion and has no [need of a] protector out of weakness.” The balance of teaching the Quran is matched with the balance of the praise of the One who sent down the Quran.
[A5]/[A5’] – Both sections mention those with knowledge “falling upon their faces (yakhirrūna lil’adhqāni)” either in submission or crying.
[A6] – The center is what those who learn the Quran correctly, praise Allah ﷻ appropriately, and humble themselves to Him say. “And they say, ‘Perfect is our Master! Indeed, the promise of our Master has been fulfilled.’”
We’ll CONCLUDE in the Part 13 part next week. :)