Al-A'la (الأعلى)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى
Sabbihisma Rabbikal A'laa
EXTOL the limitless glory of thy Sustainer's name: [the glory of] the Al-Highest,
الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ
Allazee khalaqa fasawwaa
who creates [every thing], and thereupon forms it in accordance with what it is meant to be,
وَالَّذِي قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ
Wallazee qaddara fahadaa
and who determines the nature [of all that exists], and thereupon guides it [towards its fulfilment],
وَالَّذِي أَخْرَجَ الْمَرْعَىٰ
Wallazeee akhrajal mar'aa
and who brings forth herbage,
فَجَعَلَهُ غُثَاءً أَحْوَىٰ
Faja'alahoo ghusaaa'an ahwaa
and thereupon causes it to decay into rust-brown stubble!
سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنْسَىٰ
Sanuqri'uka falaa tansaaa
WE SHALL teach thee, and thou wilt not forget [aught of what thou art taught],
إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ يَعْلَمُ الْجَهْرَ وَمَا يَخْفَىٰ
Illaa maa shaaa'al laah; innahoo ya'lamul jahra wa maa yakhfaa
save what God may will [thee to forget] - for, verily, He [alone] knows all that is open to [man's] perception as well as all that is hidden [from it]
وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ
Wa nu-yassiruka lilyusraa
and [thus] shall We make easy for thee the path towards [ultimate] ease.
فَذَكِّرْ إِنْ نَفَعَتِ الذِّكْرَىٰ
Fazakkir in nafa'atizzikraa
REMIND, THEN, [others of the truth, regardless of] whether this reminding [would seem to] be of use [or not]:
سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَنْ يَخْشَىٰ
Sa yazzakkaru maiyakhshaa
in mind will keep it he who stands in awe [of God],
وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا الْأَشْقَى
Wa yatajannabuhal ashqaa
but aloof from it will remain that most hapless wretch –
الَّذِي يَصْلَى النَّارَ الْكُبْرَىٰ
Allazee yaslan Naaral kubraa
he who [in the life to come] shall have to endure the great fire
ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ
Summa laa yamootu feehaa wa laa yahyaa
wherein he will neither die nor remain alive.
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ
Qad aflaha man tazakkaa
To happiness [in the life to come] will indeed attain he who attains to purity [in this world],
وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ
Wa zakaras ma Rabbihee fasallaa
and remembers his Sustainer's name, and prays [unto Him].
بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا
Bal tu'siroonal hayaatad dunyaa
But nay, [O men,] you prefer the life of this world,
وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
Wal Aakhiratu khairunw wa abqaa
although the life to come is better and more enduring.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَىٰ
Inna haazaa lafis suhu fil oolaa
Verily, [all] this has indeed been [said] in the earlier revelations –
صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ
Suhufi Ibraaheema wa Moosaa
the revelations of Abraham and Moses.
Meaning
The Most High
Ayas
19
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
87
Surah Al-A’la emphasizes the greatness of Allah, His creation, and the reminder of His sovereignty over all things. The key themes include:
The majesty of Allah’s creation: The Surah begins by praising Allah’s power and sovereignty, highlighting His control over the heavens and the earth. It invites believers to reflect on the magnificence of Allah’s creation as a sign of His greatness.
The importance of purification: It stresses the need for spiritual purification by following the guidance of Allah and striving to cleanse the soul through faith and righteous deeds.
The fate of the righteous and the wicked: The Surah contrasts the fate of those who reject Allah’s signs and those who follow His guidance, affirming that the righteous will succeed, while the wicked will face consequences.
Reminder of Allah’s supremacy: Surah Al-A’la serves as a reminder of Allah’s infinite power, urging believers to humble themselves and submit to His will.
Encouragement of purification: It highlights the significance of spiritual and moral purification, stressing the need to follow Allah’s commands to cleanse the soul.
Assurance of reward for the righteous: It gives hope to those who strive for righteousness, assuring them that they will be rewarded in the Hereafter, while warning those who reject the truth.
Strengthens faith: Reciting this Surah helps deepen belief in the greatness of Allah and His ultimate control over all aspects of life.
Encourages spiritual purification: The Surah serves as a reminder of the need to purify one’s heart and soul by following the righteous path.
Provides comfort and reassurance: The Surah reassures believers that those who strive for good will be rewarded, while also serving as a warning to those who turn away from Allah’s guidance.
The greatness of Allah:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “In this Surah, Allah is praised with His most beautiful names, and it emphasizes the importance of recognizing His greatness.” (Tafsir al-Jalalayn)
The reward for purification:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-A’la regularly, Allah will purify his heart and raise his rank.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
