What does « The night » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word The night (سرى) in the Quran, with 8 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

سرى

The night

Root: س - ر

Quranic language 8 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of The night

As-sura: night travel.

One says: sara and asra.

The Almighty says: 'Take My servant for a journey by night' (Al-Isra 1) concerning the Prophet's night journey. 'Travel with your family by night' (Hud 81).

Night travel is preferred for discretion and coolness.

The night in the Quran (8)

Meccan: 8 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Hud 1

Al-Hijr 1

Al-Isra 1

Maryam 1

Ta-Ha 1

Ash-Shu'ara 1

Ad-Dukhan 1

Al-Fajr 1

Surah Hud : 81 Meccan

﴿قَالُوا۟ يَٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكَ فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبْحُ أَلَيْسَ ٱلصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ﴾

The angels said, "O Lot, indeed we are messengers of your Lord; [therefore], they will never reach you. So set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back - except your wife; indeed, she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?"

Surah Al-Hijr : 65 Meccan

﴿فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱتَّبِعْ أَدْبَٰرَهُمْ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ وَٱمْضُوا۟ حَيْثُ تُؤْمَرُونَ﴾

So set out with your family during a portion of the night and follow behind them and let not anyone among you look back and continue on to where you are commanded."

Surah Al-Isra : 1 Meccan

﴿سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَآ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ﴾

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

Surah Maryam : 24 Meccan

﴿فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا﴾

But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.

Surah Ta-Ha : 77 Meccan

﴿وَلَقَدْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى فَٱضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ يَبَسًا لَّا تَخَٰفُ دَرَكًا وَلَا تَخْشَىٰ﴾

And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh] nor be afraid [of drowning]."

Surah Ash-Shu'ara : 52 Meccan

﴿وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ﴾

And We inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants; indeed, you will be pursued."

Surah Ad-Dukhan : 23 Meccan

﴿فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ﴾

[Allah said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued.

Surah Al-Fajr : 4 Meccan

﴿وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَسْرِ﴾

And [by] the night when it passes,