In Surah Isra (The Night’s Journey), Allah swt says:
17:11 The prayer that man should make for good, he maketh for evil; for man is given to hasty (deeds).
The etiquette of prayer thus is to be slow in delivering the prayer with respect for Allah swt when presenting oneself to Allah swt in required prayers.
Allah swt indicates that all praise is for the One.
the opening of the Surah is with these lines and then the reference to people in the time of Moses, Noah’s Ark’s survivors are addressed directly, and clear warning to the Children of Israel are given thei warning of arrogant mischief to be punished twice over.
blessings were given, but when well or evil was committed, it was for their own sake by themselves.
mercy was accorded, but when sinning continued, it was changed to punishment.
then purpose of Quran is shared.
17:9 Verily this Qur’an doth guide to that which is most right (or stable), and giveth the Glad Tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward;
17:10 And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announceth) that We have prepared for them a Penalty Grievous (indeed).
Allah swt tells that prayer is ordained on mankind.
that night and day are signs of Allah swt
to keep count of the years & that Allah swthas explained all things in detail.
the day of judgement is notified when
17:14 (It will be said to him"Read thine (own) record: Sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee."
17:15 Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit with Our Wrath until We had sent an apostle (to give warning).
17:16 -17 tells of why generations have been destroyed due to sins of servants of Allah swt.
& then comes the statement of truth of world life:
17:18 If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them - such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected.
Allah swt says
17:19 Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefor with all due striving, and have Faith,- they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to Allah).
that mankind may worship no other but him.
so many lessons in this Surah (17:20 - 38) from being asked as a follow piety, not kill, show humbleness, modesty in spending, measure honestly, not eat up rights of orphans, not kill children, commit adultery, not take a life, and to be respectful towards parents (17:23-24), & tread softly on earth (17:37).
in this surah it is said that the understanding reciters of Quran have a distinguishing status than those who do not believe in the day of judgment.
& that Allah swt knows best, bestowing mercy on whom Allah pleases or punishment.
issue of mercy, fear, repenting and worshipping are discussed.
Tahmud’s story of the she-camel being mistreated is mentioned that strong signs comes only as warning from evil
& then the cursed Tree, Fall of Adam arrogance of Satan is recounted.
disposing of affairs is retained as something that only Allah swt can do.
followers wont get beguiled by satan.
calamities such as earthquakes and tornadoes are prophesied for those who believe in distributing Allah swt’s power to other gods.
and then ayaat 17-70 - 77 are a very direct communication with the Prophet pbuh.
after that, again, establishing prayers is asked for including the times in the late night and early morning for spirtual blessings.
& then Allah swt himself tells his Prophet pbuh what prayer to pray:
17:80 Say: “O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor, and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).”
Allah swt knows that when something good happens, human being is all caught up in own self, but when something bad happens, the human being is all despondent.
then Allah swt speaks of the telling sign that so much about the One spirit of inspiration is purposefully being hid from the uncomprehending creatures, is that knowledge which is communicated only a little (17:85)
then again the reminder that Quran is disclosed in every kind of similitude, but the ingrate don’t understand (17:89)
when dared to show signs of presence of the One
by way of bounties and their abundance, such as dates, wines and gardens with water gushing through, to sky to fall into pieces to gold laden house
the power of Allah swt is relayed in the words and
the signs will come in the form of warnings
& Allah swt tells his apostle to speak on his behalf and say that he is but an apostle.
and the kicker is that what Allah swt says so aptly, why an a man apostle for mankind. because :
17:95 Say, “If there were settled, on earth, angels walking about in peace and quiet, We should certainly have sent them down from the heavens an angel for an apostle”
& that
17:96 Say: "Enough is Allah for a witness between me and you: for He is well acquainted with His servants, and He sees (all things).
between ayaat 17:101-104, the story of people of Moses is recounted.
ayaat 17:105 - 109 Quran’s miracle is praised as a letter of Allah swt to his creature - mankind, who when knows of Quran, eyes well up in tears and bows down in humility of the glad tidings referred in the same.
The mannerism of reciting Quran at intervals is reminded.
& the Surah ends quite remarkably with another etiquette of how to read Quran in soft not loud voice.
…ending with Tawheed and praise of the One who is praiseworthy.
Dushwari