Overall meaning : Allah Almighty opens the surah by declaring Himself far removed from every imperfection and everything that does not befit His Majesty: Glorified and far removed is He who took His servant, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, during a part of the night from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, whose surroundings Allah has blessed with crops, fruits, rivers, among many other things, and made the home of many of His prophets. The purpose of such a night journey, He states, was to show the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, some amazing manifestations of His power. He asserts that He hears and sees all things.
Having mentioned one aspect of the numerous honours He has conferred upon His Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, Allah Almighty proceeds to mention one of the honours He previously bestowed upon His Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, affirming that He gave him the Torah and made it a guide for the Israelites, so that they would not take anyone other than Allah as their Lord and God to whom they should entrust their affairs. ‘You, descendants of those We saved from drowning and carried in the Ark with Noah,’ He addresses the Israelites, ‘do not worship anyone besides Me; show your gratitude to Me for My favours, following the example of your great ancestor, Noah, who was a truly thankful servant.’