Today, for the first time, I realised why this Surah is called Al-A‘raf — “The Heights.”

It made me realise how much of the Qur’an I have read without truly pausing to understand the meaning behind its names, its scenes, and its words. And that realisation humbled me.

Then I came across verse 7:50 وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ أَنۡ أَفِيضُواْ عَلَيۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ أَوۡ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ

The people of Hell will call out to the people of Paradise, asking for water and some of what Allah has provided them.

Water.

Something so ordinary in this world that we often forget it is a blessing. And yet, in that moment, it will be something desperately desired.

It

This is the reality. Money, wealth, dunya, all of it, it can never consistently hold us together, ever. And when we do start chasing peace in wealth, it only debilitates and consumes us the more we seek it. We think we are seeking peace, when it only leads us to our own detriment. Think of the story of Qaroon in Surah Al-Qasas, or of kings who had the richness of dunya but the constant internal fear of ever losing it. A believer finds peace with Him, the only One to remain. Thus, their peace remains too.

There is so much I could say about this surah (which is my favourite) and this ayah aswell. But I'll try to keep it short and sweet. So I'm reading this novel about Syrian refugees and it goes over the perilous journeys that these poor souls have had to make and I just felt so sad at how badly they have been let down by humanity. The Muhajiroon also had to flee and they too were refugees. And when you read this ayah in particular, it sums up 13 years of the Prophet's ﷺ life so succinctly through the relationship between the Muhajiroon and the Ansar. (In fact, the whole surah goes into many more aspects of the Prophet's life in Madinah for example the Ahl al-Kitaab, the Munafiqoon, th

Abu Hurayrah narrates: The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: 'Charity does not decrease any wealth. Allah does not increase any servant in tolerance except with glory. No one ever lowers himself for Allah except that Allah raises him.' [Authentic: Narrated by Muslim (2588)]

Jâbir b. Abdullah narrates: My father was killed on the day of Uhud, and he left behind two gardens. He owed some dates to a Jewish man, and the dates that he owed the Jewish man would have taken up all of the contents of the two gardens. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said to him: 'Would you take some this year, and defer some to the next?' but he refused. The Messenger of Allah (saws) then said: 'When it is time to cut the fruit, call me.' I called him over, and the Prophet (saws) came along with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. We began cut and weigh for him from the bottom of the tree as the Messenger of Allah (saws) was supplicating for blessings. We ended up fulfilling the full amount owed to him

Abdullah b. ash-Shukhayr narrates: I came to the Prophet (saws) as he was reciting Competition for more ˹gains˺ diverts you ˹from Allah˺ [102:1] He said: 'The human being says: ‘My wealth! My wealth!’ O human being, is there anything of your wealth that you do not consume, thereby eliminating it; or use, thereby wearing it out; or donate, thereby passing it on?' [Authentic: Narrated by Muslim (2958)]

Abu Hurayrah narrates: The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: 'The earth will discharge its hidden treasures like pillars of gold and silver. Then the murderer will come and say: ‘I murdered for this?!’ Then the one who cut ties will come and say: ‘I cut ties with my family for this?!’ Then the thief will come and say: ‘My hand was cut for this?!’ They will then leave it and not take anything from it.' [Authentic: Narrated by Muslim (1013)]

Abu Hurayrah narrates: A man came to the Prophet (saws) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, which form of charity is greatest in reward?' He said: 'That you give charity while you are healthy and hesitant; fearing poverty and hoping for riches. Do not delay until [the soul] reaches the throat, then saying: ‘This is for so-and-so, and that is for so-and-so,’ while it already belonged to so-and-so.' [Agreed upon: Narrated by al-Bukhari (1419) in this wording, and Muslim (1032:93)]

Asmâ’ bt. Abu Bakr narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: 'Spend, and do not keep tabs, lest Allah keep tabs on you. Do not withhold, lest Allah withhold from you.' [Agreed upon: Narrated by al-Bukhari (2591) in this wording, and Muslim (1029)]

‘Uqbah b. ‘Âmir narrates that the Prophet (saws) said: 'When you see Allah giving a servant whatever he loves of this world despite their transgressions, it is only a gradual intensification of their destruction.' [Sound: Narrated by Imam Ahmad (17311), and at-Tabarâni in al-Awsat (9268), and al-Bayhaqi in al-Qadhâ’ wal-Qadar (2/466)]