Surah Al A'la (سورة الأعلى) Co

Surah al-A'la “The Most High” is the 87th surah of Holy Qur'an with 19 ayat.

Surat al-A'la (Arabic: سورة الأعلى‎, “The Most High”, “Glory To Your Lord In The Highest”) is the eighty-seventh sura of the Qur'an (Quran / Quraan) with 19 ayat. It is positioned in Para 30 which is also known as Juz Amma (Juz' 30).

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 (sorat / sorah) 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.This sura is part of the series of Al-Musabbihat as it begins with the glorification of Allah. This is the Makkan / Makki sura, first 7 Ayath's (sentences) was revealed in the very 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-Ala is among the most recited suras in the Jummah and Witr prayers.

There are many narrations cited on the virtue of reciting this Surah; among them is a tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (S) which says:

“Allah will reward him, who recites this Surah, the number of words, tenfold, which were revealed to Abraham, Moses and Muhammad.”

There are several narrations which denote that whenever the Prophet (S) or one of the twelve Imams (as) recited Surah A'la, they used to say /subhana rabbi-al-a'la/ 'Glory be to my Lord, the Most High'.

Another narration says that one of the companions of Hazrat Ali (as) said that he prayed twenty consecutive nights behind him (as) and he (as) did not recite any Surah, except Surah A’la. Also, he (as) said that if they knew what a blessing it has, every single one of them would recite the Surah ten times each day. He added that he who recites the Surah has, in essence, recited the Book and the Scriptures of Moses and Abraham.

In short, as it is understood from all the narrations about it, this Surah stands out with special importance. Again, a tradition from Hazrat Ali (as) says that Surah A'la was beloved by the Holy Prophet (S).

Opinions are divided over this Surah as to whether it was revealed in Mecca or Medina, but the popular idea among commentators is that it was revealed in Mecca.

Al-'Allamah-as-Sayyid Muhammad Hosain at-Tabataba'i (may Allah have mercy on him) prefers to consider the first part of the Surah Meccan and the last part Medinan, since it contains words about prayer and alms and, according to the narrations from Ahlul Bayt, (as) the words mean 'the prayer and alms on the feast of fast-breaking day', and we know that the instruction of the fasting month, with its relevant actions, were revealed in Medina.

However, it is probable that the instruction of prayer and alms, mentioned at the end of the Surah, is a general instruction and 'the prayer and alms on the feast of fast-breaking day' are counted as its 'clear examples'. We know that commentary on the phrase 'clear example' is found abundantly in the narrations of Ahlul Bayt (as).

Therefore, the popular idea denoting that the Surah is Meccan is not improbable, particularly because the beginning verses, of the Surah, are completely compatible with the ending verses. Then, it is not easy to say that the Surah was revealed partly in Mecca and partly in Medina. There is also a narration which says that each group of people who arrived in Medina recited this Surah to some people in Medina.

This probability; that only its beginning verses were recited and the last verses were revealed in Medina, is very improbable

• The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) said: Whoever recites

• Surah Alaa would be given ten rewards equal to the number of each

• letter of the scriptures revealed to Ibrahim, Musa and Muhammad

• (s.a.w.s.).