Signs Only Prophets Can See
The section titled “Night Journey” in the Qur’an Sura 17 emphasizes God’s power and influence over his creations. The consequences of not adhering to his guidelines are revealed as well as the rewards for living morally devout lives. Heaven and hell are the final destinations for humankind and each individual is measured for their good deeds against their lacking characteristics. For example, if one prays regularly and does not partake in any adulterous behaviors, he is considered worthy of entering heaven. All of this is expressed to yet another prophet by the name Muhammad, and it is his job to spread this knowledge to the rest of humanity.
The title is rightfully named “Night Journey” because it reiterates the idea that Muhammad had to travel from “Mecca to Jerusalem and from there to heaven and back again” in a single night (175). The journey is described as the travel from a “sacred place of worship to the furthest place of worship” (175). These two locations being Mecca and Jerusalem respectfully represent the pilgrimage necessary to show faith to God. Muhammad is considered a prophet because he was shown divine signs as a courtesy of his unfaltering worship to God. He is compared to Moses who also received the Scripture that was used as a guide for the Children of Israel. Moses was also shown a burning bush to symbolize the presence of God in the same manner that Muhammad received signs from the heavens.
Providing evidence of divine power to prophets seems counter intuitive since these individuals are meant to be the most devout and should not have to be influenced to carry God’s will. It also goes against reason that any messages from God should be given unless it’s to express signs of imminent doom for disobedience, as was done with Noah and his ark. It is mentioned in the Qur’an that the divine “send signs only to give warning” (179), this indicates that expression of power is limited only to extreme circumstances when humanity needs to be put in their place.
The line “your Lord knows best what is in your heart” (176) really stood out for me because it reminded me that there is no use in pretending to be faithful or faking a belief in morality because the truth is always visible in God’s eyes. It reminds me of how on Yom Kippur, we pray for forgiveness for all the sins we had committed the previous year because there is no point in trying to hide them when God sees every moral/immoral action, feeling, and thought. When it says “he is most forgiving to those who return to him” (177), we express this tribute by asking for forgiveness through fasting to return to him the respect that was given to us.
A final thought concerning manipulation leading down the path to hell is how many people in today’s society are actually left on the virtuous path? Has Iblis/Satan manipulated enough of God’s creations to ensure hell is overrun and heaven is vacant? Many disbelievers want proof of the divine, which is not granted, because the idea of God has to be witnessed through faith alone. When they need incentive to pray and believe in something greater than them, they are temporarily siding with Satan as they are being manipulated into believing they are owed something for their faith.
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