Al-Aʻlā ( ar, الأعلى, “The Most High”, “Glory To Your Lord In The Highest”) is the eighty-seventh chapter (''
surah
A ''surah'' (; ar, سورة, sūrah, , ), is the equivalent of "chapter" in the Qur'an. There are 114 ''surahs'' in the Quran, each divided into '' ayats'' (verses). The chapters or ''surahs'' are of unequal length; the shortest surah (''Al-Ka ...
'') of the
Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , s ...
, with 19 ''
ayat'' or verses.
Al-A'la describes the Islamic view of existence, the
Oneness of Allah, and Divine revelation, additionally mentioning rewards and punishments. Mankind often hides things from each other and from themselves as well. The sura reminds its readers that Allah knows the things that are declared and things that lie hidden. The final verse of this Sura affirms that a similar message was also revealed to
Abraham
Abraham, ; ar, , , name=, group= (originally Abram) is the common Hebrew patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, he is the founding father of the special relationship between the Je ...
and
Moses in the
scriptures
Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual pra ...
. This sura is part of the series of
Al-Musabbihat
Al-Musabbihat ( ar, الْمُسَبِّحَاتِ) are those suras of the Quran that begin with Allah's (Glory be to him) glorification 'Subhana', 'Sabbaha', and 'Yusabbihu'. According to Islamic scholar Muhammad Shafi Deobandi (1897–1976) t ...
as it begins with the glorification of Allah. This is a Makkan sura. The first 7
Āyāt (verses) were revealed during the first years of Makkan life.
One of the companions of Ali said that he prayed twenty consecutive nights behind him and he did not recite any Surah, except Surah A’la.
Surat Al-A'lā is among the most recited suras in the
Jummah and
Witr
Witr ( ar, وتر) is an Islamic prayer (''salat'') that is performed at night after ''Isha'' (night-time prayer) or before '' fajr'' (dawn prayer). Witr has an odd number of ''raka'at'' prayed in pairs, with the final raka'ah prayed separately ...
prayers.
Summary
*1-5 God, the Most High, praised for His works
*6-9 God promises to help Muhammad to proclaim the Quran
*10-11 The God-fearing only shall be admonished
*12-15 The wicked shall be punished, but the righteous shall be blessed
*16-17 Men choose the present life rather than the life to come
*18-19 The
books of Abraham and
Moses attest the Quran
Hadith
The first and foremost
exegesis
Exegesis ( ; from the Greek , from , "to lead out") is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text. The term is traditionally applied to the interpretation of Biblical works. In modern usage, exegesis can involve critical interpretation ...
/
tafsir
Tafsir ( ar, تفسير, tafsīr ) refers to exegesis, usually of the Quran. An author of a ''tafsir'' is a ' ( ar, مُفسّر; plural: ar, مفسّرون, mufassirūn). A Quranic ''tafsir'' attempts to provide elucidation, explanation, in ...
of the
Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , s ...
is found in hadith of Muhammad. Although scholars including
ibn Taymiyyah claim that Muhammad has commented on the whole of the Qur'an, others including
Ghazali cite the limited amount of
narratives, thus indicating that he has commented only on a portion of the Qur'an. Ḥadīth (حديث) is literally "speech" or "report", that is a recorded saying or tradition of Muhammad validated by
isnad
Hadith studies ( ar, علم الحديث ''ʻilm al-ḥadīth'' "science of hadith", also science of hadith, or science of hadith criticism or hadith criticism)
consists of several religious scholarly disciplines used by Muslim scholars in th ...
; with
Sirah Rasul Allah
Al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya (), commonly shortened to Sīrah and translated as prophetic biography, are the traditional Muslim biographies of Muhammad from which, in addition to the Quran and Hadiths, most historical information about his life and th ...
these comprise the
sunnah and reveal
shariah
Sharia (; ar, شريعة, sharīʿa ) is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam and is based on the sacred scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and the ...
. According to
Aishah
Aisha ( ar, , translit=ʿĀʾisha bint Abī Bakr; , also , ; ) was Muhammad's third and youngest wife. In Islamic writings, her name is thus often prefixed by the title "Mother of the Believers" ( ar, links=no, , ʾumm al- muʾminīn), refer ...
, the life of Prophet Muhammad was practical implementation of
Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , s ...
. Therefore, higher count of hadith elevates the importance of the pertinent surah from a certain perspective. This surah was held in special esteem in
hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approva ...
, which can be observed by these related narratives. According to
hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approva ...
, the prophet Muhammad used to recite this surah in
Salah of
Zuhr prayer
The Zuhr prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلظُّهْر ', "noon prayer") is one of the five mandatory salah (Islamic prayer). As an Islamic day starts at sunset, the Zuhr prayer is technically the fourth prayer of the day.witr
Witr ( ar, وتر) is an Islamic prayer (''salat'') that is performed at night after ''Isha'' (night-time prayer) or before '' fajr'' (dawn prayer). Witr has an odd number of ''raka'at'' prayed in pairs, with the final raka'ah prayed separately ...
and in congregational prayers of
Jumu'ah
In Islam, Friday prayer or Congregational prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلْجُمُعَة, ') is a prayer ('' ṣalāt'') that Muslims hold every Friday, after noon instead of the Zuhr prayer. Muslims ordinarily pray five times each day accordin ...
and in
Eid prayers
Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid ( ar, صلاة العيد), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate with ...
. And the prophet Muhammad used to recite this surah before
surah
A ''surah'' (; ar, سورة, sūrah, , ), is the equivalent of "chapter" in the Qur'an. There are 114 ''surahs'' in the Quran, each divided into '' ayats'' (verses). The chapters or ''surahs'' are of unequal length; the shortest surah (''Al-Ka ...
Al-Ghashiyah (Sura 88). Imam
Ahmad ibn Hanbal
Ahmad ibn Hanbal al-Dhuhli ( ar, أَحْمَد بْن حَنْبَل الذهلي, translit=Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal al-Dhuhlī; November 780 – 2 August 855 CE/164–241 AH), was a Muslim jurist, theologian, ascetic, hadith traditionist, and ...
relates on the authority of
Ali bin Abu Talib that
Muhammad
Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the mo ...
loved this surah.
*
Ibn ‘Abbas (d.687) narrated: The Prophet recited in Witr: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High (''Al-Ala'').
*
Ibn ‘Abbas reported; when the prophet recited: “Glorify the name of thy Lord, the Most High.”(''Al-Ala'') He would say: ”Glory be to Allah, the most High”.
*
Samra ibn Jundab Samra may refer to:
Music
*Samra (rapper), German rapper
* ''Samra'' (album), a 2001 album by Faudel
Places
* Al-Samra, a former Palestinian village in the Tiberias subdistrict
* As Samra Mountain or Samra Mountain, a mountain overlooking Ha'il, S ...
narrated that: The Messenger of Allah used to recite in the
Friday prayer: "Glorify the name of your most high Lord" (''Al-Ala'') and Has the story of the overwhelming event reached you? (
Al-Ghashiyah).
* It was narrated from
Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet used to recite in the ‘
Eid prayers
Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid ( ar, صلاة العيد), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate with ...
“Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.” (''Al-Ala'') and “Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming?” (
Al-Ghashiyah).
[ Sunan Abu Dawood 1122
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 733
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 1117]
* It was narrated from
al-Nu'man b. Bashir that: The Messenger of Allah used to recite on the two
Eid prayers
Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid ( ar, صلاة العيد), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate with ...
and on
Jumu'ah
In Islam, Friday prayer or Congregational prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلْجُمُعَة, ') is a prayer ('' ṣalāt'') that Muslims hold every Friday, after noon instead of the Zuhr prayer. Muslims ordinarily pray five times each day accordin ...
: "Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High" (''Al-Ala'') and "Has there come to you the narration of The Overwhelming?"(
Al-Ghashiyah) Sometimes the two ('Eid and Jumu'ah) occurred on the same day, and he would recite them (these two Surahs).
* It was narrated that
Imran ibn Husain said: "The Prophet prayed
Zuhr
The Zuhr prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلظُّهْر ', "noon prayer") is one of the five mandatory
Mandate most often refers to:
* League of Nations mandates, quasi-colonial territories established under Article 22 of the Covenant of the League ...
and a man behind him recited: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. When he had finished praying, he said: 'Who recited: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High?" (''Al-Ala'') A man said: 'I did.' He said: 'I realized that some of you were disputing with me over it'".
* Abu Bakr bin An-Nadr said: "We were in At-Taff with Anas, and he led them in praying
Zuhr
The Zuhr prayer ( ar, صَلَاة ٱلظُّهْر ', "noon prayer") is one of the five mandatory
Mandate most often refers to:
* League of Nations mandates, quasi-colonial territories established under Article 22 of the Covenant of the League ...
. When he had finished, he said: 'I prayed Zuhr with the Messenger of Allah and he recited two surahs for us in the two rak'ahs: "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High' (''Al-Ala'') and 'Has there come to you the narration of the over-whelming?'" (
Al-Ghashiyah).
* It was narrated that
Jabir Jabir (Arabic: جابر ) is an Arabic surname or male given name, which means "comforter".''Behind The Name''"Jabir" Retrieved on 8 January 2016. Alternative spellings include Djābir, Jaber, Jābir, Gabir, and Geber. The name may refer to:
Giv ...
said: "Muadh stood up and prayed
Isha', and made it lengthy. The Prophet said: 'Do you want to cause hardship to the people, O Mu'adh; do you want to cause hardship to the people O Mu'adh? Why didn't you recite Glorify the Name of your Lord Most High (''Al-Ala'') or
Ad-Dhuha
Al-Ḍuḥā ( ar, الضحى, “The Morning Hours”, “Morning Bright” ,"The Early Hours") is the ninety-third chapter (''surah'') of the Qur'an, with 11 '' āyat'' or verses. Qur'an 93 takes its name from Arabic its opening word, ''al- ...
or;
When the heaven is cleft asunder?"
* Narrated
Uqbah ibn Amir
Uqba ibn Amir al-Juhani ( ar, عقبة بن عامر الجهني, ʿUqba ibn ʿĀmir al-Juhanī; died 677/78) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the Umayyad governor of Egypt in 665–667 and died in the province.
Life
Uqba ...
: “When the following was revealed: ‘So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great’,
9:52the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your
Ruku
Rukūʿ ( ar, رُكوع, ) can refer to either of two things in Islam:
* The act of belt-low bowing in standardized prayers, where the backbone should be in rest, before straightening up to go for sujud (full earth-low bowing).
* A paragr ...
’.’ And when the following was revealed: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.’
7:1the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your prostrations.’”
[ Sunan Ibn Majah English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 887, Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 937]
References
External links
Quran 87Clear Quran translation
Mustafa Khattab is a Canadian–Egyptian Muslim scholar, author, youth mentor, public speaker, imam, and university chaplain. He holds a professional ijâzah in the Ḥafṣ style of recitation. He is known for his translation of the Quran in ...
*
The Holy Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sing. ...
, translated by
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Abdullah Yusuf Ali, CBE, MA, LL.M, FRSA, FRSL (; ur, عبداللہ یوسف علی; 14 April 1872 – 10 December 1953) was an Indian-British barrister who wrote a number of books about Islam including an exegesis of the Qur'an. A sup ...
Three translations at Project Gutenberg
{{Authority control
Ala Ala, ALA, Alaa or Alae may refer to:
Places
* Ala, Hiiu County, Estonia, a village
* Ala, Valga County, Estonia, a village
* Ala, Alappuzha, Kerala, India, a village
* Ala, Iran, a village in Semnan Province
* Ala, Gotland, Sweden
* Alad, S ...