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

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Verses : 19

الأعلى

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0. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

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

bookmark 2. He who creates and regulates.

bookmark 3. He who measures and guides.

bookmark 4. He who produces the pasture.

bookmark 5. And then turns it into light debris.

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

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

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

bookmark 9. So remind, if reminding helps.

bookmark 10. The reverent will remember.

bookmark 11. But the wretched will avoid it.

bookmark 12. He who will enter the Gigantic Fire.

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

bookmark 14. Successful is he who purifies himself.

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

bookmark 16. But you prefer the present life.

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

bookmark 18. This is in the former scriptures.

bookmark 19. The Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

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

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