Al-Ala
Encyclopedia
Sūrat al-Aʿlā is the 87th sura of the Qur'an
with 19 ayat. Al-Ala 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 us 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 and Moses in their scriptures.
Surat Al-A'lā is among the most recited suras in the Jummah prayer.
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
Transliteration: Sabbihi isma rabbika al-aAAla [1]Allathee khalaqa fasawwa [2] Waallathee qaddara fahada [3] Waallathee akhraja almarAAa [4] FajaAAalahu ghuthaan ahwa [5] Sanuqri-oka fala tansa [6] Illa ma shaa Allahu innahu yaAAlamu aljahrawama yakhfa [7] Wanuyassiruka lilyusra [8] Fathakkir in nafaAAati alththikra [9] Sayaththakkaru man yakhsha [10] Wayatajannabuha al-ashqa [11]Allathee yasla alnnara alkubra [12] Thumma la yamootu feeha wala yahya [13] Qad aflaha man tazakka [14] Wathakara isma rabbihi fasalla [15] Bal tu/thiroona alhayata alddunya [16] Waal-akhiratu khayrunwaabqa [17] Inna hatha lafee alssuhufial-oola [18] Suhufi ibraheema wamoosa [19]
Pronounce the purity of the name of your Most Exalted Lord, [1] who created (everything), then made (it) well, [2] and who determined a measure (for everything), then guided (it), [3] and who brought forth pasturage, [4] then turned it into blackening stubble. [5] We will make you recite, then you will not forget [6] except that which Allah wills. Indeed He knows what is manifest and what is hidden. [7] And We will facilitate for you (to reach) the easiest way. [8] So, extend advice (to people) if advice is useful. [9] The one who fears (Allah) will take to the advice, [10] and it will be avoided by the most wretched [11] who will enter the Biggest Fire, [12] then he will neither die therein, nor live (a life worth mentioning). [13] Success is surely achieved by him who purifies himself, [14] and pronounces the name of his Lord, then offers prayer. [15] But you prefer the worldly life, [16] while the Hereafter is much better and much more durable. [17] Indeed this is (written) in the earlier divine scripts, [18] the scripts of Ibrahim and Musa. [19]
English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall:
Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High, [1] Who createth, then disposeth; [2] Who measureth, then guideth; [3] Who bringeth forth the pasturage, [4] Then turneth it to russet stubble. [5] We shall make thee read (O Muhammad) so that thou shalt not forget [6] Save that which Allah willeth. Lo! He knoweth the disclosed and that which still is hidden; [7] And We shall ease thy way unto the state of ease. [8] Therefore remind (men), for of use is the reminder. [9] He will heed who feareth, [10] But the most hapless will flout it, [11] He who will be flung to the great fire [12] Wherein he will neither die nor live. [13] He is successful who groweth, [14] And remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth. [15] But ye prefer the life of the world [16] Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. [17] Lo! This is in the former scrolls, [18] The Book of Abraham and Moses. [19]
English Translation by Yusuf Ali:
Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High, [1] Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion; [2] Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance; [3] And Who bringeth out the (green and luscious) pasture, [4] And then doth make it (but) swarthy stubble. [5] By degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget, [6] Except as Allah wills: For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden. [7] And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path). [8] Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer). [9] The admonition will be received by those who fear ((Allah)): [10] But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones, [11] Who will enter the Great Fire, [12] In which they will then neither die nor live. [13] But those will prosper who purify themselves, [14] And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer. [15] Day (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; [16] But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. [17] And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),- [18] The Books of Abraham and Moses. [19]
Say, In (or with) the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Beginning is with Allah's personal name Ar'Reh'maan Who is The Fountain of Infinite Mercy.
[Note: It should be remembered that it is not the written text/part/Ayah of سُورة [Chapter 87] and hence it is never numbered. For convenience of those readers who are already believers, this is traditionally printed since it is commanded in the Qur'an to read/recite with the Name of Sustainer Lord, The Creator]
relates on the authority of Ali bin Abu Talib that the Islamic prophet Muhammad
loved this surah.
Imam Muslim relates that Muhammad used to read this surah and surah 88, (Al-Ghashiya
), in Eid prayer
s and also in Friday prayers. If one of the festivals fell on a Friday, Muhammad would have been sure to read these two surahs in the prayers.
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
with 19 ayat. Al-Ala 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 us 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 and Moses in their scriptures.
Surat Al-A'lā is among the most recited suras in the Jummah prayer.
Arabic Verses
بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ
- سَبِّحِ اسۡمَ رَبِّکَ الۡاَعۡلَی
- الَّذِیۡ خَلَقَ فَسَوّٰی
- وَ الَّذِیۡ قَدَّرَ فَہَدٰی
- وَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَخۡرَجَ الۡمَرۡعٰی
- فَجَعَلَہٗ غُثَآءً اَحۡوٰی
- سَنُقۡرِئُکَ فَلَا تَنۡسٰۤی
- اِلَّا مَا شَآءَ اللّٰہُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ یَعۡلَمُ الۡجَہۡرَ وَ مَا یَخۡفٰی
- وَ نُیَسِّرُکَ لِلۡیُسۡرٰی
- فَذَکِّرۡ اِنۡ نَّفَعَتِ الذِّکۡرٰی
- سَیَذَّکَّرُ مَنۡ یَّخۡشٰی
- وَ یَتَجَنَّبُہَا الۡاَشۡقَی
- الَّذِیۡ یَصۡلَی النَّارَ الۡکُبۡرٰی
- ثُمَّ لَا یَمُوۡتُ فِیۡہَا وَ لَا یَحۡیٰی
- قَدۡ اَفۡلَحَ مَنۡ تَزَکّٰی
- وَ ذَکَرَ اسۡمَ رَبِّہٖ فَصَلّٰی
- بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُوۡنَ الۡحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنۡیَا
- وَ الۡاٰخِرَۃُ خَیۡرٌ وَّ اَبۡقٰی
- اِنَّ ہٰذَا لَفِی الصُّحُفِ الۡاُوۡلٰی
- صُحُفِ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ وَ مُوۡسٰی
Transliteration: Sabbihi isma rabbika al-aAAla [1]Allathee khalaqa fasawwa [2] Waallathee qaddara fahada [3] Waallathee akhraja almarAAa [4] FajaAAalahu ghuthaan ahwa [5] Sanuqri-oka fala tansa [6] Illa ma shaa Allahu innahu yaAAlamu aljahrawama yakhfa [7] Wanuyassiruka lilyusra [8] Fathakkir in nafaAAati alththikra [9] Sayaththakkaru man yakhsha [10] Wayatajannabuha al-ashqa [11]Allathee yasla alnnara alkubra [12] Thumma la yamootu feeha wala yahya [13] Qad aflaha man tazakka [14] Wathakara isma rabbihi fasalla [15] Bal tu/thiroona alhayata alddunya [16] Waal-akhiratu khayrunwaabqa [17] Inna hatha lafee alssuhufial-oola [18] Suhufi ibraheema wamoosa [19]
English Translation of verses
English Translation by Muhammad Shameem, Mohammad Wali Raazi and Muhammad Taqi Usmani:Pronounce the purity of the name of your Most Exalted Lord, [1] who created (everything), then made (it) well, [2] and who determined a measure (for everything), then guided (it), [3] and who brought forth pasturage, [4] then turned it into blackening stubble. [5] We will make you recite, then you will not forget [6] except that which Allah wills. Indeed He knows what is manifest and what is hidden. [7] And We will facilitate for you (to reach) the easiest way. [8] So, extend advice (to people) if advice is useful. [9] The one who fears (Allah) will take to the advice, [10] and it will be avoided by the most wretched [11] who will enter the Biggest Fire, [12] then he will neither die therein, nor live (a life worth mentioning). [13] Success is surely achieved by him who purifies himself, [14] and pronounces the name of his Lord, then offers prayer. [15] But you prefer the worldly life, [16] while the Hereafter is much better and much more durable. [17] Indeed this is (written) in the earlier divine scripts, [18] the scripts of Ibrahim and Musa. [19]
English Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall:
Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High, [1] Who createth, then disposeth; [2] Who measureth, then guideth; [3] Who bringeth forth the pasturage, [4] Then turneth it to russet stubble. [5] We shall make thee read (O Muhammad) so that thou shalt not forget [6] Save that which Allah willeth. Lo! He knoweth the disclosed and that which still is hidden; [7] And We shall ease thy way unto the state of ease. [8] Therefore remind (men), for of use is the reminder. [9] He will heed who feareth, [10] But the most hapless will flout it, [11] He who will be flung to the great fire [12] Wherein he will neither die nor live. [13] He is successful who groweth, [14] And remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth. [15] But ye prefer the life of the world [16] Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. [17] Lo! This is in the former scrolls, [18] The Book of Abraham and Moses. [19]
English Translation by Yusuf Ali:
Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High, [1] Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion; [2] Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance; [3] And Who bringeth out the (green and luscious) pasture, [4] And then doth make it (but) swarthy stubble. [5] By degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget, [6] Except as Allah wills: For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden. [7] And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path). [8] Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer). [9] The admonition will be received by those who fear ((Allah)): [10] But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones, [11] Who will enter the Great Fire, [12] In which they will then neither die nor live. [13] But those will prosper who purify themselves, [14] And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer. [15] Day (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; [16] But the Hereafter is better and more enduring. [17] And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),- [18] The Books of Abraham and Moses. [19]
Detailed Explanation of Verses
Say, In (or with) the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Beginning is with Allah's personal name Ar'Reh'maan Who is The Fountain of Infinite Mercy.
[Note: It should be remembered that it is not the written text/part/Ayah of سُورة [Chapter 87] and hence it is never numbered. For convenience of those readers who are already believers, this is traditionally printed since it is commanded in the Qur'an to read/recite with the Name of Sustainer Lord, The Creator]
Occurrence in Hadith
Imam Ahmad ibn HanbalAhmad ibn Hanbal
Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hanbal Abu `Abd Allah al-Shaybani was an important Muslim scholar and theologian. He is considered the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh...
relates on the authority of Ali bin Abu Talib that the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
loved this surah.
Imam Muslim relates that Muhammad used to read this surah and surah 88, (Al-Ghashiya
Al-Ghashiya
Sūrat al-Ghāshiya is the 88th sura of the Qur'an with 26 ayat. The sura's topics are Paradise, Hell and the miracle of creation of all things by Allah.-Arabic Verses: بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ...
), in Eid prayer
Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer was prescribed in the first year after the hijra. It is Wajib and Muhammad always performed these prayers.-Procedure:...
s and also in Friday prayers. If one of the festivals fell on a Friday, Muhammad would have been sure to read these two surahs in the prayers.
External links
- The Holy Qur'an, translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
- Three translations at Project Gutenberg
- Al-Ala at Sacred Texts