Surah Al-A’la is a comprehensive chapter of the Quran that encompasses the fundamentals of faith and the conditions of monotheism. It presents evidence of Allah’s power and His unique oneness. It also affirms the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the revelation settled in his heart.
Additionally, the Surah serves as a reminder of the Hereafter and the consequences of one’s actions. It is not surprising, therefore, that this Surah holds special virtues. Its recitation involves the mention of the name of our Supreme Lord, and contemplating its meanings provides guidance towards the straight path. In this article, we will delve into these aspects in further detail.
Historical Background and Reasons for the Revelation of Surah Al-A’la
Surah Al-A’la is a Makkan Surah, meaning it was revealed in Makkah during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the 87th Surah in the order of the Quran and consists of nineteen verses.
The Surah emphasizes the sanctification of Allah’s sublime name, reminds humanity of His blessings upon His creation, directs people towards the straight path, warns against Satan and his allies, and gives glad tidings of a good reward for the righteous and virtuous individuals.
While the complete reason for the revelation of the Surah is not mentioned, the narration of a specific incident is associated with one of its verses. Allah says in Surah Al-A’la, “We will make you recite, [O Muhammad], and you will not forget.” Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to hasten in reciting the revelations, fearing that he might forget them.
Allah revealed this verse to reassure him that He would ensure the preservation of what was revealed to him. The Surah derives its name from its opening verse, “Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High”
Al-A’la, meaning “the Most High,” is one of the names of Allah, indicating His supremacy in His essence, attributes, and actions. It is also referred to as the Surah of “Glorify” because of the imperative verb used in the opening verse.
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Virtues of Surah Al-A’la
Surah Al-A’la, a Makkan Surah, carries tremendous virtues and profound meanings within its verses. Among its virtues is that it is one of the Surahs that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was granted as an additional gift, surpassing other prophets. He particularly loved reciting this Surah in selected prayers, such as the Friday prayer, the two Eid prayers, and the Witr prayer.
It is narrated that whoever recites Surah Al-A’la, Allah will grant them ten rewards for each letter, based on the number of letters revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and Muhammad (peace be upon them). Furthermore, Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon him) stated that whoever recites Surah Al-A’la in their obligatory or voluntary prayers will be told on the Day of Judgment: “Enter Paradise through whichever gate you wish, by the will of Allah.”
One of the meanings of Surah Al-A’la is that it begins with exalting and sanctifying the name of our Supreme Lord, dissociating Him from any deficiency or association with partners. It highlights His attributes and actions. The Surah then mentions some of the blessings bestowed by Allah upon His creation, such as the creation of human beings, the earth, crops, and trees.
Read also about: Tafsir of Surah Al-Alaq
It directs humans towards the path of piety and righteousness while warning them against the path of misery and corruption. The Surah gives glad tidings to the believers of a good reward in lofty gardens and warns the deniers of a severe punishment in Hellfire. Finally, it concludes with mentioning some supplications, glorification, and magnification found in the scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa (peace be upon them).
Tafsir of Surah Al-A’la
Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High,
Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it;
And Who has measured (preordainments for each and everything even to be blessed or wretched); then guided (i.e. showed mankind the right as well as wrong paths, and guided the animals to pasture);
And Who brings out the pasturage,
And then makes it dark stubble.
We shall make you to recite (the Quran), so you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) shall not forget (it),
Except what Allah, may will, He knows what is apparent and what is hidden.
And We shall make easy for you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) the easy way (i.e. the doing of righteous deeds).
Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).
The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah),
But it will be avoided by the wretched,
Who will enter the great Fire and made to taste its burning,
Wherein he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).
Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success,
And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allah), and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil additional prayers).
Nay, you prefer the life of this world;
Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.
Verily! This is in the former Scriptures,
The Scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses).
سَبِّحِ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡأَعۡلَى (1) ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ (2) وَٱلَّذِي قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ (3) وَٱلَّذِيٓ أَخۡرَجَ ٱلۡمَرۡعَىٰ (4) فَجَعَلَهُۥ غُثَآءً أَحۡوَىٰ (5) سَنُقۡرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنسَىٰٓ (6) إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡجَهۡرَ وَمَا يَخۡفَىٰ (7) وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ (8) فَذَكِّرۡ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ (9) سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَن يَخۡشَىٰ (10) وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى (11) ٱلَّذِي يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ (12) ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ (13) قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ (14) وَذَكَرَ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ (15) بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا (16) وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ (17) إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِي ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ (18) صُحُفِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ (19)
Read also about: Tafsir of Surah Al-Falaq
{Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High}
It means exalting the name of your Lord, dissociating Him from any deficiency or association with partners, and sanctifying His attributes and actions. Glorification is among the best remembrances and noblest acts of worship.
{Who created and proportioned}
It means the One who created all creatures, perfecting their creation and adorning them, and assigned for everything its measure and proportion.
{And who destined and [then] guided}
It means the One who determined all destinies in this world and the Hereafter, guiding every creature to what suits it in terms of sustenance, drink, shelter, and more. He guided humankind to the path of piety and faith.
{And who brings out the pasture}
It means the One who causes green vegetation, plants, grains, and fruits to grow, providing sustenance for humankind, animals, and others, and placing many benefits in them.
{And [then] makes it black stubble}
It means after that, He turns it into dry, withered stubble, to illustrate that everything in this world is transient and perishable, while the Eternal and Majestic Face of your Lord remains.
{We will make you recite, so you will not forget}
It means “We will make you, O Muhammad, recite this Quran in a way that you will never forget it. So, do not grieve about memorizing it; rather, listen attentively to what is revealed to you and reflect upon it, for Allah will grant you the ability to memorize it.”
{Except what Allah should will. Indeed, He knows what is declared and what is hidden}
It means except what Allah wills to make you forget from some of the verses that have been abrogated, omitted, or replaced, for reasons known to His wisdom. It means that He, in His glory, knows everything, whether it is openly declared or hidden, including speech, actions, intentions, and secrets, and nothing is concealed from Him.
{And We will ease you toward ease}
It means “We will facilitate for you, O Muhammad, all matters and make your religion easy, not burdensome. We will assist you in carrying the great responsibility entrusted to you, and we will open hearts and eyes for you.”
{So remind, if the reminder should benefit}
It means “So, admonish your people, O Muhammad, with the Quran if the reminder is beneficial to them. Do not weaken in conveying the message, for success is in the hands of Allah alone. Your duty is to be sincere and strive.”
{He who fears [ Allah ] will be reminded}
It means “Those who fear their Lord, believe in the Hereafter, and accept the truth will benefit from the admonition and guidance.” They are the ones deserving of guidance and success.
{And the wretched one will avoid it}
It means that the wretched one, who does not fear his Lord, does not believe in the resurrection, and does not accept the truth, will stay away from the remembrance that leads to guidance. These are the ones deserving of misguidance and loss.
{He who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire}
It means the one who will enter the blazing fire of Hell, enduring its intense heat and punishment. This is the consequence for those who deny the Quran.
{Then neither dying therein nor living}
It means that they will neither die in Hell to find relief from its torment nor live a life that benefits or pleases them. Instead, they will remain in a state of misery and wretchedness.
{He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself}
It means that indeed, successful is the one who purifies his soul from polytheism, sins, and bad manners, and cleanses it with faith, obedience, and good character.
{And mentions the name of his Lord and prays}
It means that he mentions the name of his Lord with praise and invokes Him, establishing the prayer at its designated times, seeking the pleasure of his Lord and adhering to His legislation.
{But you prefer the worldly life}
It means that you, O people, prioritize the adornments and pleasures of worldly life over the blessings of the Hereafter.
{While the Hereafter is better and more enduring}
It means that the Hereafter, after death, is better than the worldly life in terms of its generosity, virtue, and rewards, and more enduring in terms of its perpetuity, stability, and happiness. Its blessings will never cease, and its punishments will never expire.
{Indeed, this is in the former scriptures}
It means that these truths mentioned in this Surah were not new; they were already present in the former scriptures that Allah revealed to some chosen prophets. This is evidence of the truthfulness of the message of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and its agreement with the other messengers.
{The scriptures of Abraham and Moses}
Then Allah concludes this Surah by mentioning some aspects of what is in the scriptures of Abraham and Moses (peace be upon them), such as supplication, praise, and glorification of Allah.
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Read also about: Scientific Miracles of the Quran
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