Sura al-A'la: Difference between revisions

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

This sura is named "al-A'la" because it began with glorification of God, the Exalted. "A'la" means "most exalted and superior than anything."

Sura al-A'la is considered among [[Makki sura]]s which is 87th sura in the Qur'an, and was revealed as the 80th sura of the Qur'an; i.e. after [[Qur'an 81]] and before [[Qur'an 92]]. It is located in [[juz']] 30.

Sura al-A'la has 19 verses, 72 words and 296 letters. It is among [[mufassalat]] suras (having several short verses). It is the 7th and the last sura of [[musabbihat]] (beginning with glorification of God).

Sura al-A'la has two parts: the first part of the sura addresses the Prophet (s) 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 [[believer]]s and wretched [[disbeliever]]s and mentions the causes of happiness and wretchedness of the two groups.

{{pull quote|" We shall have you recite [the Qur'an], then you will not forget [any of it]"

In this verse, God ensures the Prophet (s) 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 (s) such a power to recite the Qur'an correctly and well, exactly the way it was revealed and without any alteration.

In ''[[Majma' al-bayan]]'', it is mentioned that some have said that "tazkiya" and "salat" in verses 14 and 15 refer to paying [[Zakat al-Fitra]] and [[Eid prayer|Eid al-Fitr prayer]]. This question might be raised that this sura is Makki and that time, there was no [[zakat]] or Eid prayer. It has been answered that the first verses of this sura 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, [[al-Sayyid Hashim al-Bahrani]] wrote that it has been narrated from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] that [[fasting]] becomes complete with paying zakat al-fitra, the same way the [[prayer]] becomes complete with [[salawat|sending blessings upon the Prophet (a)]]. So, anyone who fasts and does not give zakat al-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 al-fitra over prayer and said, "Felicitous is he who purifies himself, (14) celebrates the Name of his Lord, and prays." (Qur'an 87: 14–15)

The last verse of the Sura al-A'la suggests that Prophets [[Abraham (a)]] and [[Moses (a)]] had divine books too. In a hadith, [[Abu Dhar]] narrated, "I asked the Prophet (a), 'how many prophets (a) were there?' He (a) answered, '124 thousand.' Then, he (a) said, 'O, Abu Dhar! Four of the Prophets (a) were Arab: [[Hud (a)]], [[Salih (a)]], [[Shu'ayb (a)]] and your prophet.' 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 [[Gospel]] upon [[Jesus (a)]], [[Psalms]] upon [[David (a)]] and revealed [[al-Furqan]] (means Qur'an) upon the [[Prophet of Islam (s)]]."

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

 

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* The material for this article is mainly taken from {{ia|[[:fa:سوره اعلی|سوره اعلی]]}} in Farsi Wikishia.

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