The Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Al-Isra (Bani Isra’il) every night together with Az-Zumar; in one version, he would not sleep until he had recited them, so it is read every night. Ibn Mas’ud counted it, with Al-Kahf, Maryam, Taha and Al-Anbya, among “the first and finest” revealed in Mecca, and it is one of the Mi’in given to the Prophet ﷺ in place of the Psalms.
The Prophet ﷺ recited Bani Isra’il (Al-Isra) and Az-Zumar every night; in one version, he would not sleep until he had recited them.
Good (hasan)At-Tirmidhi (2920, 3405), Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah (1163)
Ibn Mas’ud said of Al-Isra, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Taha and Al-Anbya: “They are among the first and finest, and among my oldest possessions”, meaning revealed early in Mecca and learnt first; the word also means what reaches excellence, for their stories of the prophets and nations.
It is one of the Mi’in, given to the Prophet ﷺ in place of the Psalms, according to the hadith of Wathilah ibn al-Asqa’: “… and in place of the Psalms I was given the Mi’in.”
Arabic text, translation, reference and authenticity grade of each hadith.
كان رسول الله ﷺ يصوم حتى نقول: ما يريد أن يفطر، ويفطر حتى نقول: ما يريد أن يصوم، وكان يقرأ كل ليلة ببني إسرائيل والزمر
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would fast until we said he would not break his fast, and he would not fast until we said he would not fast. And he used to recite every night Bani Isra’il (Al-Isra) and Az-Zumar.
في بني إسرائيل والكهف، ومريم، وطه، والأنبياء: إنهن من العتاق الأول وهن من تلادي
About Bani Isra’il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Taha and Al-Anbya: “They are among the first and finest (al-’itaq al-awwal), and they are among my oldest possessions.”
Main purpose: Allah’s strengthening of His Messenger ﷺ, supporting him with clear signs and giving him glad tidings of victory and steadfastness.
Al-Isra is a Meccan surah, the 17th in the order of the Qur’an and, according to As-Suyuti, the 49th in the order of revelation, after Al-Qasas. It has 111 verses and is also called “Bani Isra’il” and “Subhan”; it is named after the Night Journey mentioned at its opening. Revealed in the eleventh year of the mission, a year and two months before the Hijrah, it most likely came down shortly after the Night Journey and the Ascension.
The full Arabic text: introduction, virtues, themes, and a study of the chain and authenticity of each hadith.
