Surah Al-A'la (The Most High): Detailed Explanation

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Surah Al-A'la, the 87th chapter of the Quran, is a Makkan surah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) before his migration to Medina. This surah focuses on the attributes of Allah, the revelation of the Quran, and the importance of remembering Allah while avoiding worldly distractions. It also contrasts the fleeting pleasures of this world with the eternal bliss of the Hereafter.

Key Themes and Explanation

1. Glorifying Allah and His Attributes

The surah begins by commanding the glorification of Allah, the Most High.

سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى ﴿١﴾
(Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High.) (Quran 87:1)

Tashbih (Glorification): This verse emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Allah's supreme attributes and His transcendence.
Divine Creation: The surah then describes Allah's creative power, highlighting His perfect design and guidance.

الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ ﴿٢﴾ وَالَّذِي قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ وَالَّذِي أَخْرَجَ الْمَرْعَىٰ ﴿٤﴾ فَجَعَلَهُ غُثَاءً أَحْوَىٰ ﴿٥﴾
(Who created and proportioned, and who determined [destiny] and guided, and who brings out the pasture, and [then] makes it a dark stubble.) (Quran 87:2-5)

Allah's Guidance: These verses affirm that Allah not only creates but also guides His creation according to His divine plan.
Fleeting Nature of the World: The mention of the pasture that becomes dark stubble serves as a reminder of the transient nature of worldly things.

2. The Revelation and Memorization of the Quran

The surah assures the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he will be able to memorize and recite the Quran without forgetting.

سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنسَىٰ ﴿٦﴾ إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْجَهْرَ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ ﴿٧﴾ وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ ﴿٨﴾
(We will make you recite, [O Muhammad], and you will not forget, except what Allah should will. Indeed, He knows what is declared and what is hidden. And We will ease you toward the easy [way].) (Quran 87:6-8)

Divine Assurance: Allah guarantees that the Prophet (peace be upon him) will remember the revelation.
Allah's Knowledge: This highlights Allah's all-encompassing knowledge, both of what is manifest and what is concealed.
Ease of the Path: Allah promises to facilitate the Prophet's (peace be upon him) mission and guide him to the easy path of righteousness.

3. The Importance of Remembrance and Warning

The surah emphasizes the importance of reminding people of the truth, which benefits those who fear Allah.

فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ الذِّكْرَىٰ ﴿٩﴾ سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَن يَخْشَىٰ ﴿١٠﴾ وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا الْأَشْقَى ﴿١١﴾ الَّذِي يَصْلَى النَّارَ الْكُبْرَىٰ ﴿١٢﴾ ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ ﴿١٣﴾
(So remind, if the reminder should benefit, he who fears [Allah] will be reminded. And the wretched one will avoid it, [he] who will enter the greatest Fire, where he will neither die nor live [in comfort].) (Quran 87:9-13)

Reminder (Dhikr): The surah urges the Prophet (peace be upon him) to remind people, as it benefits those who are receptive.
Fear of Allah: Those who fear Allah will heed the reminder and benefit from it.
Consequences of Rejection: The surah warns of the severe consequences for those who reject the message and enter the Hellfire.

4. The Success of Purification and the Preference for the Hereafter

The surah concludes by highlighting the success of those who purify themselves and remember Allah, and it contrasts the fleeting pleasures of this world with the eternal bliss of the Hereafter.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ ﴿١٤﴾ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ ﴿١٥﴾ بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا ﴿١٦﴾ وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ﴿١٧﴾
(He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself, and mentions the name of his Lord and prays. But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring.) (Quran 87:14-17)

Success of Purification: True success lies in purifying oneself from sins and remembering Allah.
Preference for the Hereafter: The surah emphasizes that the Hereafter is far superior and more lasting than the transient pleasures of this world.
Earlier Scriptures: The surah ends affirming that the same message was in earlier scriptures.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿١٨﴾ صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ ﴿١٩﴾
(Indeed, this is in the former scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.) (Quran 87:18-19)

Key Takeaways

Glorify Allah: Acknowledge and glorify Allah's supreme attributes.
Remember Allah: Emphasize the importance of remembering Allah and performing prayers.
Purify Yourself: Strive to purify yourself from sins and evil deeds.
Prioritize the Hereafter: Recognize the eternal nature of the Hereafter and prioritize it over worldly pleasures.
Heed the Reminder: Benefit from reminders and warnings, and fear the consequences of rejecting the truth.

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Salman Shakeel Leghari's Reflection on Surah Al-A'laa:1 | QuranReflect