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SURAH AL-A'LA (THE MOST HIGH) OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN
There is a
disagreement among writers of
exegesis whether this Surah was
revealed in Makkah or Madinah
because in the later part of the
Surah, Salat and Zakat has been
discussed.
Allama Sayyied Muhammad Husayn
Tabatabai preferred that the
first part be considered Makki
and the later part as Madani.
There are 19
Ayahs of this Surah. It may be
divided into two parts; one part
is addressed to the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) himself
about praise of Allah and the
duties of Prophet Hood. Seven
Great Names of Allah are
mentioned; the other part deals
with God fearing faithful and
hard hearted unbelievers.
According to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.): “Whoever recites this Surah,
he will be rewarded ten virtues
for every word revealed on
Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa,
and Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.a.s.)”. One of the
Companions of the Commander of
the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.)
says that he performed prayers
in the lead of Imam Ali (a.s.),
he always recited this Surah and
said: “If you were aware of the
blessings of this Surah you
would have read it ten times. As
if you have their (Suhuf) Holy
Writ. The Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) loved this Surah” It may be
noted that maximum benefits may
be accrued if we understand the
contents of this Surah and
practice in our life!
In the Name of Allah, the
Beneficent, the Merciful
(Muhammad), Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High, Who has created
(all things), decreed their
destinies, and provided them
with Guidance. It is He who has
caused the grass to grow, then
caused it to wither away. We
shall teach you (the Qur’an) and
you will not forget it unless
Allah Wills it to be otherwise.
He knows all that is made public
and all that remains hidden. We
shall make all your tasks easy.
Therefore, keep on preaching as
long as it is of benefit. Those
who have fear of Allah will
benefit but the reprobate will
turn away and suffer the heat of
the Great Fire wherein they
neither live nor die. Lasting
happiness will be for those who
purify themselves, remember the
name of the Lord, and pray to
him. However, (the unbelievers)
prefer the worldly life even
though the life hereafter will
be better and will last forever.
This is what is written in the
ancient heavenly Books, the
Scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa.
This Surah is normally recited in the Eid Congregations.
The Guidance
referred above is Cosmogonic (Takwini).
But Allah has provided the Legal
Guidance (Tashri’i) through
Prophets and Revelations. The famous Zoologist Cressy Morrison in his “The Secret of Cosmogony of
Man” has narrated many
examples of the birds that
travel thousands of miles to
migrate and after many months
retrace their passage and find
their native habitast. Some of
the birds like bats find their
way at night like radar systems.
Different insects have
microscopic eyesight. Similarly,
dogs have been given abnormal
sense of smelling to identify
objects.
Purification
referred to in Ayah 14 may point
towards polytheism, physical as
well as spiritual purification.
Avoid all sinful acts
and perform virtuous deeds.
It may also mean to pay Zakat
Fitra to purify one’s wealth and
spirit.
It is stated in many traditions that the love of the worldly life is the
cause of all sins!
There is a Tradition narrated by Abu Dharr that he asked the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) about the number of
prophets, he replied 124,000. He
asked: “How many Messengers?”
The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)
replied: “three hundred
thirteen. Four Prophets among
them were Arabs; Prophet Hud,
Prophet Saleh, Prophet Shoaib,
and your Prophet.” Abu Dharr
asked: “O Prophet of God! How
many Books did Allah revealed?”
He (s.a.w.a.s.) replied: “One
hundred and four books; ten
books on Adam, fifty books on
Shees, thirty books on Idrees,
ten on Ibrahim, Taurait on Musa,
Injeel on I’sa, Zubur on Daud
and Furqan on the Prophet of
Islam.”
The Infallible Imam Zain-al-Abedin (a.s.) said: “Causes of sins were;
disobedience by Shaitan, greed
caused Tak-e-Aula by Adam,
jealousy, love of women, love of
world, love for power, love of
comforts, love of superiority,
love of wealth.”
Source used:
The Glorious
Qur’an Translation by Ayatollah
Nasir Makaram Shirazi |
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