87 surahala

Surah Al-A’la(87)

IntroductionThe name of the surah means the Most High. It is one of the earliest surahs to be revealed. The Prophet(sws) wasn’t yet used to getting revelations when this surah was sent. Allah is the One who helped the Prophet(sws) memorize and recite the Quran.Sometimes the Prophet would be so preoccupied with trying to memorize what he heard, that he would miss out on listening to bits . That is when Allah told him to just listen. Allah took on the responsibility for the Prophet to actually remember and understand.

Introduction (cont.)There are three major themes in this surah:

1. Tauhid (belief in One God)2. Instructions to the Prophet (sws) 3. Hereafter

Ayah One: Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High,

There are three different meanings: 1. Allah should only be remembered by names that fit Him, names by which He is referred to in the Quran 2. People should not name other creations based on the exact attribute of Allah or name of Allah. 3. Allah should not mentioned in a way that reflects a lack of respect.

Ayah Two: Who created all things and fashioned them in good proportion.

Allah created everything, from the earth and the heavens, in the universe. He created everything in the right propertion and with balance. Every creation works perfectly and was created in the perfect form and shape. If the universe was created by chance or in randomness, then it could not have been as perfect, structured, and beautiful as it is. The inner coherence among all creations would not exist.

Ayah Three: Who determined and guided them,

Allah set a destiny for all of His creations beforehand. Each creation was created with a purpose and a certain set of functions. Allah determined how each would function and how each would live its life or existence. Nothing that Allah created was just left without guidance. Whatever Allah created to perform function, he had guided it so it was taught the method of performing that function.

Ayah Four: Who brought forth the pasture,

Allah caused every kind of vegetation to grow out of soil All the fruits and vegetables and grains that our food system relies on were all creations of Allah. The system through which everything grows was set by Allah. We are dependent on His mercy.

Ayah Five: and then made it into a blackish straw,

This is referring to the changes in the seasons Think about how nice the plants are in the summer, then how the leaves change color in the fall, and even fall off in the winter. This is a sign of Allah’s power. Likewise, no one should think that their life only has one stage, the life that we are in now. If you are in summer, you will see autumn.

Questions (Intro + 1-5)1. What does the name of the surah mean?2. What would the Prophet (sws) sometimes do when revelation was coming?3. Who took the responsibility for the Prophet to memorize and understand the Quran? 4. What are the three different meanings of ayah one?5. How did Allah determine and guide all of His creations? 6. What is the significance of the seasons?

Ayah Six: We shall make you recite and then you will not forget

The Prophet (sws) would often repeat the words of the Quran in fear that he would forget them.Sometimes even before the Angel Jibrael(a) would finish reciting a line, the Prophet would start repeating it For this reason, Allah assures the Prophet that he does not need to do that because Allah will help him remember.

Ayah Seven: except what Allah should wish. He knows all that is manifest and all that is hidden. The Prophet (sws) will not forget anything. He only forgets what Allah does not need him to remember. Allah is aware of everything, whatever is visible and public and all that is private and secret. Nothing can be hidden from Allah.

Ayah Eight: We shall ease you to follow the way of Ease.

Allah has made it easier for the Prophet to follow the right path.If we want to do good, Allah will make it easier for us.

Ayah Nine: So render good counsel if good counsel will avail.

You should spread the message to all people but spend more time and effort to those who are more willing to listen and take your advice.People who want the knowledge are more worthy of your attention than those who don’t want the knowledge.

Ayah Ten: He who fears (Allah) shall heed it,

Those who have fear of Allah and the consequences of doing bad deeds, will take the advice and implement it into their lives. Heed means to listen to and accept.

Ayah Eleven: but the wretched will turn away from it. Ayah Twelve: He will be cast into the Great Fire. Ayah

Thirteen: Then he will neither die in it, nor live.

For those people who do not take the advice of the Prophet(sws) and turn to Islam, they will be put into the Hellfire where they will be punished. In the Hellfire, they will not be able to die so they will always feel the punishment. They will also not be able to live a normal life.

Ayah Fourteen: He who purified himself shall prosper, Ayah Fifteen: remembering

his Lord’s name and praying.Those who purified themselves by turingng to Allah, seeking forgiveness for their sins, and doing good deeds, they will prosper. To prosper means to become successful. These people will attain Jannah. These people purified themselves by remembering Allah constantly and praying to Him.

Ayah Sixteen: No; but you prefer the present life,

Human beings always think of this world and all the goals in this world. We want all the eases and comforts here. We think that whatever we gain in this world is our real gain and whatever we lose here as our real loss. But that is not the case.We work more for this life then the next.

Ayah Seventeen: whereas the Hereafter is better and more enduring.

While we prefer this life, Allah tells us that working for the net life is better for us. It is preferable in two ways:

1. Its comforts and pleasures are far superior (greater) to all of the blessings in this world2. This world is temporary and the Hereafter is everlasting (is forever)

Ayah Eighteen: This, indeed, was in the ancient Scrolls, Ayah Nineteen: the Scrolls

of Abraham and Moses.This message of the Hereafter and judgment are not new messages. The same idea was also sent down in the books of Ibrahim(a) and Musa(a)

Questions (6-19)1. What would the Prophet sometimes try to do when the angel was reciting?2. What does Allah assure the Prophet about remembering the Quran? 3. Who will heed the advice?4. What will happen to those who turn away from the advice? 5. How does one purify him or herself?6. Which world do humans tend to prefer?7. What are the two ways that the Hereafter is better? 8. To what other prophets were the same message sent to?

DisclaimerThese slides are an abridged, simplified

version of tafseer. For detailed explanations, please view other sources.