Sura al-A'la: Difference between revisions

Chapter A’la is 87th chapter of the Qur’an and a Makki chapter located in Juz’ 30. The name of the chapter (A’la) is adopted from its first verse, meaning “the most Exalted”. First verses of the chapter call the Prophet (a) to glorify God and then mentions seven attributes for God and then speaks of humble believers and wretched disbelievers and mentions the causes of happiness and wretchedness of the two groups.

About the merits of recitation of this chapter, it is narrated from the Prophet (a) that whoever recites this chapter, God will reward him as many as ten rewards for each words He revealed to Abraham (a) Moses (a) and Muhammad (a).

== Introduction of the Chapter ==

=== Cause of Naming ===

This chapter is named A’la because it began with glorification of God, the Exalted. “A’la” means “most exalted and superior than anything.”

=== Place and Order of Revelation ===

Chapter A’la is considered among Makki chapters which is 87th chapter in the Qur’an and was revealed as the 80th chapter of the Qur’an; i.e. after chapter Takwir and before Chapter Layl. It is located in Juz’ 30.

=== Volume ===

Chapter A’la has 19 verses, 72 words and 296 letters. It is among Mufassalat chapters (having several short verses). It is the 7th and the last chapter of Musabbihat (beginning with glorification of God).

Chapter A’la has two parts: the first part of the chapter addresses the Prophet (a) and gives him orders about glorification of God and performing his mission. Also, seven attributes of God are mentioned in this part. The second part speaks about humble believers and wretched disbelievers and mentions the causes of happiness and wretchedness of the two groups.

* Content: Truth of monotheistic mission of the Prophet (a)

# Delivering the message of God’s Unity to truth-seekers

== Commentary ==

The Prophet (a) and not forgetting the Qur’an

“We shall have you recite [the Qur’a n], then you will not forget [any of it]” (87:6)

In this verse, God ensures the Prophet (a) not to worry about forgetting the verses, for the One who has sent them, will guard them. In Tafsir al-Mizan, ‘Allama Tabataba’i wrote, “Iqra’ means “receiving recitation of the reciter in order to correct his recitation”; however, this is literal meaning of the word and in this verse, it means that God gave the Prophet (a) such a power to recite the Qur’an correctly and well, exactly the way it was revealed and without any alteration.

== Eid al-Fitr Prayer and Zakat Fitra ==

In Majma’ al-bayan, it is mentioned that some have said that “tazkiya” and “salat” in verses 14 and 15 refer to Zakat Fitra and Eid al-Fitr prayer. This question might be raised that this chapter is Makki and that time, there was no Zakat or Eid prayer. It has been answered that the first verses of this chapter might be revealed in Mecca and its final verses including verses 14 and 15 might be revealed in Medina.

In Tafsir al-burhan, under the verse 14, Sayyid Hashim Bahrani wrote that it has been narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that fasting becomes complete with paying Zakat Fitra, the same way the prayer becomes complete with sending blessings upon the Prophet (a). So, anyone who fasts and does not give Zakat Fitra intentionally, his fasting is not accepted and anyone who performs prayer and does not send blessings upon the Prophet (a) and abandons it intentionally, his prayer is not accepted. God, the Almighty has prioritized Zakat Fitra over prayer and said, “Felicitous is he who purifies himself, * celebrates the Name of his Lord, and prays.” (87: 14 – 15)

The last verse of the chapter A’la suggests that Prophets Abraham (a) and Moses (a) had divine books too. In a hadith, AbuDhar narrated, “I asked the Prophet (a), ‘how many prophets (a) were there?’ He (a) answered, ‘124 thousand.’ Then, he (a) said, ‘O, AbuDhar! Four of the Prophets (a) were Arab: Hud (a), Salih (a), Shu’ayb (a) and your prophet (a).’ I asked, ‘O, messenger of God, how many books God have sent?’ He (a) said, ‘104 books; 10 books upon Adam (a), 50 books upon Seth (a), 30 books upon Enoch who was Idris (a); and he (a) was the first person who wrote by pen, and 10 books upon Abraham (a), Torah upon Moses (a), the Bible upon Jesus (a), Psalms upon David (a) and revealed Furqan upon the Prophet of Islam (a).”

== Famous Verses ==

Verse 7: "Indeed, He knows the open and what is hidden." {{enote|{{ia|إِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْجَهْرَ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ (Q 87:7)}}}}

It is mentioned in the interpretation of verse 7 that the visible and the hidden are equal to God; because whatever visible and hidden are in His creation. Mulla Sadra wrote that this verse proves the knowledge for God and negates any ignorance or defect about God.

In Tafsir Majma’ al-bayan, it is narrated from the Prophet (a) that whoever recites this chapter, God will reward him as many as ten rewards for each words He revealed to Abraham (a) Moses (a) and Muhammad (a). Also, it is narrated from Imam Ali (a) that the Prophet (a) loved this chapter. It is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that whoever recites chapter A’la in his obligatory prayers or his Nawafil, on the Judgement Day, he will be told that he can enter the Paradise from any of its doors if God wills.