Surah 87. Al-Ala The Most High - English Translation

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Verses : 19
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bookmark 1. Praise the Name of your Lord, the Most High.

1. سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلْأَعْلَى

bookmark 2. He who creates and regulates.

2. ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ

bookmark 3. He who measures and guides.

3. وَٱلَّذِى قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ

bookmark 4. He who produces the pasture.

4. وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَخْرَجَ ٱلْمَرْعَىٰ

bookmark 5. And then turns it into light debris.

5. فَجَعَلَهُۥ غُثَآءً أَحْوَىٰ

bookmark 6. We will make you read, so do not forget.

6. سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنسَىٰٓ

bookmark 7. Except what God wills. He knows what is declared, and what is hidden.

7. إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلْجَهْرَ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ

bookmark 8. We will ease you into the Easy Way.

8. وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ

bookmark 9. So remind, if reminding helps.

9. فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ

bookmark 10. The reverent will remember.

10. سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَن يَخْشَىٰ

bookmark 11. But the wretched will avoid it.

11. وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا ٱلْأَشْقَى

bookmark 12. He who will enter the Gigantic Fire.

12. ٱلَّذِى يَصْلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ

bookmark 13. Where he will neither die, nor live.

13. ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ

bookmark 14. Successful is he who purifies himself.

14. قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ

bookmark 15. And mentions the name of his Lord, and prays.

15. وَذَكَرَ ٱسْمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ

bookmark 16. But you prefer the present life.

16. بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا

bookmark 17. Though the Hereafter is better, and more lasting.

17. وَٱلْءَاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ

bookmark 18. This is in the former scriptures.

18. إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِى ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

bookmark 19. The Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

19. صُحُفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ

Context of Revelation

The surah Al-A‘la (“The Most High”) is a Meccan surah composed of 19 verses. It was revealed to the Prophet ﷺ during the early years of his mission in Mecca. Its title comes from the opening verse, where God describes Himself as The Most High, emphasizing His absolute transcendence.

According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this surah was revealed to comfort the Prophet ﷺ and affirm the perfection of divine revelation in the face of the mockery of the polytheists. The Prophet ﷺ often recited this surah in the Friday and Eid prayers, as reported in an authentic hadith from Muslim (no. 878).

Main Teachings and Key Insights

The surah Al-A‘la is an invitation to praise and glorify God, affirm the purity of revelation, and prefer the Hereafter over worldly life. Its main teachings include:

  • God is the perfect Creator, who fashioned all things in due proportion and guided every being. (verses 1–3)
  • He has made the Revelation easy to remember for the Prophet ﷺ, guaranteeing its preservation. (verses 6–7)
  • Worldly life is fleeting, whereas the Hereafter is better and everlasting. (verses 16–17)
  • The divine message is a reminder passed through generations, continuing the mission of Abraham and Moses. (verses 18–19)

This surah calls to praise, sincerity, and awareness of the transient nature of life. Its rhythm and tone are serene, contemplative, and uplifting.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Exaltation of God (verses 1–3): glorification of the Creator and His perfect order in creation.
  • Divine preservation of Revelation (verses 4–7): assurance to the Prophet ﷺ that the Qur’an will not be forgotten.
  • Eschatological reminder (verses 8–15): contrast between those who remember God and those who turn away.
  • Preference for the Hereafter (verses 16–17): a call to choose eternal life over the temporary world.
  • Prophetic continuity (verses 18–19): linking Muhammad’s ﷺ mission with that of Abraham and Moses.

The overall tone of the surah is soothing and exalting: it glorifies divine wisdom, the Prophet’s steadfastness, and the permanence of faith.

Key Verse

The central verse of the surah is verses 14–15:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ * وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ

Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself, remembers the name of his Lord, and prays.

Why is this verse key?

  • It summarizes the path to spiritual success: inner purification, remembrance of God, and prayer.
  • It highlights the balance between faith and action — the foundation of salvation in the Hereafter.
  • It reminds that true success is spiritual, not material — found in nearness to God.

In summary, Al-A‘la exalts God’s greatness, the purity of revelation, and the importance of spiritual purification. It is a hymn of divine glory and a reminder of eternal salvation.

Surah Al-Ala
The Most High
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الأعلى
1.
Al-Fatiha The Opening
2.
Al-Baqara The Cow
3.
Al-Imran Family of Imran
4.
An-Nisa' Women
5.
Al-Maidah The Table
6.
Al-Anam Livestock
7.
Al-Araf The Elevations
8.
Al-Anfal The Spoils
9.
At-Tawbah The Repentance
10.
Yunus Jonah
11.
Hud Hud
12.
Yusuf Joseph
13.
Ar-Raad Thunder
14.
Ibrahim Abraham
15.
Al-Hijr The Rock
16.
An-Nahl The Bee
17.
Al-Isra The Night Journey
18.
Al-Kahf The Cave
19.
Maryam Mary
20.
Ta-Ha Ta-Ha
21.
Al-Anbiya The Prophets
22.
Al-Hajj The Pilgrimage
23.
Al-Muminune The Believers
24.
An-Nur The Light
25.
Al Furqane The Criterion
26.
As-Shuaraa The Poets
27.
An-Naml The Ant
28.
Al-Qasas History
29.
Al-Ankabut The Spider
30.
Ar-Rum The Romans
31.
Luqman Luqman
32.
As-Sajda The Prostration
33.
Al-Ahzab The Confederates
34.
Saba Sheba
35.
Fatir Originator
36.
Yassine (Yas-Sin) Ya Seen
37.
As-Saffat The Aligners
38.
Sad Saad
39.
Az-Zumar Throngs
40.
Gafir The Forgiver
41.
Fussilat Detailed
42.
Ash Shura Consultation
43.
Azzukhruf Decorations
44.
Ad-Dukhan Smoke
45.
Al-Jathya Kneeling
46.
Al-Ahqaf The Dunes
47.
Muhammad Muhammad
48.
Al-Fath Victory
49.
Al-Hujurat The Chambers
50.
Qaf Qaf
51.
Ad-Dariyat The Spreaders
52.
At-Tur The Mount
53.
An-Najm The Star
54.
Al-Qamar The Moon
55.
Ar-Rahman The Compassionate
56.
Al-Waqi'a The Inevitable
57.
Al-Hadid Iron
58.
Al-Mujadalah The Argument
59.
Al-Hasr The Mobilization
60.
Al-Mumtahanah The Woman Tested
61.
As-Saff Column
62.
Al-Jumua Friday
63.
Al-Munafiqun The Hypocrites
64.
At-Tagabun Gathering
65.
At-Talaq Divorce
66.
At-Tahrim Prohibition
67.
Al-Mulk Sovereignty
68.
Al-Qalam The Pen
69.
Al-Haqqah The Reality
70.
Al-Maarij Ways of Ascent
71.
Nuh Noah
72.
Al-Jinn The Jinn
73.
Al-Muzzamil The Enwrapped
74.
Al-Muddattir The Enrobed
75.
Al-Qiyamah Resurrection
76.
Al-Insan Man
77.
Al-Mursalate The Unleashed
78.
An-Naba The Event
79.
An-Naziate The Snatchers
80.
Abasa He Frowned
81.
At-Takwir The Rolling
82.
Al-Infitar The Shattering
83.
Al-Mutaffifin The Defrauders
84.
Al-Insiqaq The Rupture
85.
Al-Buruj The Constellations
86.
At-Tariq The Nightly Visitor
87.
Al-Ala The Most High
88.
Al-Gasiyah The Overwhelming
89.
Al-Fajr The Dawn
90.
Al-Balad The Land
91.
Ach-Chams The Sun
92.
Al-Layl The Night
93.
Ad-Duha Morning Light
94.
Ash-Sarh The Soothing
95.
At-Tin The Fig
96.
Al-Alaq Clot
97.
Al-Qadr Decree
98.
Al-Bayyinah Clear Evidence
99.
Az-Zalzalah The Quake
100.
Al-Adiyate The Racers
101.
Al-Qariah The Shocker
102.
At-Takatur Abundance
103.
Al-Asr Time
104.
Al-Humazah The Backbiter
105.
Al-Fil The Elephant
106.
Coraïsh Quraish
107.
Almaun Assistance
108.
Al-Kawtar The Plenty
109.
Al-Kafirune The Disbelievers
110.
An-Nasr Victory
111.
Al-Masad Thorns
112.
Al-Ikhlas Monotheism
113.
Al-Falaq Daybreak
114.
An-Nas Mankind
Surah Al-Ala

The Most High

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