Al-Aʻlā (
Arabic: الأعلى,
lit. 'The Most High, Glory To Your Lord In The Highest') is the eighty-seventh chapter (surah) of the
Qur'an, 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 and
Moses in the
scriptures.[1] This sura is part of the series of
Al-Musabbihat as it begins with the glorification of Allah. This is a Makkan surah. 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 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
Ibn ‘Abbas (d.687) narrated: The Prophet recited in Witr: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High (Al-Ala).[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
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".[10]
Samra ibn Jundab 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). [11][12][13][14]
It was narrated from
Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet used to recite in the ‘
Eid prayers "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High." (Al-Ala) and “Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming?” (
Al-Ghashiyah).[15][16][17][18]
It was narrated from
al-Nu'man b. Bashir that: The Messenger of Allah used to recite on the two
Eid prayers and on
Jumu'ah: "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).[19][20][21]
It was narrated that
Imran ibn Husain said: "The Prophet prayed
Zuhr 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'".[22][23]
Abu Bakr bin An-Nadr said: "We were in At-Taff with Anas, and he led them in praying
Zuhr. 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). [24]
It was narrated that
Jabir 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 or;
When the heaven is cleft asunder?"[25][26]
Narrated
Uqbah ibn Amir: “When the following was revealed: ‘So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great’,[69:52] the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your
Ruku’.’ And when the following was revealed: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.’[87:1] the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your prostrations.’”[27]
^Wherry, Elwood Morris (1896). A Complete Index to
Sale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain.
^Sunan an-Nasa'i (d.915) 1743
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 146
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1744
^Jami` at-Tirmidhi 462
In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 10
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 462
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1703
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 106
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1704
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1733
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 136
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1734
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1741
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 144
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1742
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1750
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 153
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1751
^Sunan Abu Dawud 829
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 439
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 828
^Abu Dawud said; In this tradition the other narrators have differed from the narrator Wakl. This has been narrated by Wakl, and Shu’bah from Abu Ishaq, from Sa’ld b. Jubair, from
Ibn ‘Abbas as his own statement (and not from the Prophet).
Sunan Abi Dawud 883
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 493
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 882
^Grade :
Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference :
Sunan Abu Dawood 1125
In-book reference : Book 2 Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat)
(393)Chapter: What Should Be Recited During The Friday Prayer Hadith 736
English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1120
^Sunan ibn Maja English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1120
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1174
^Sunan an-Nasa'i Vol. 2, Book 14:The Book of Jumu'ah, Hadith 1423 (Friday Prayer)
^Sunan al-Tirmidhi 519
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 32
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 519
^Sunan ibn Maja reference : Vol. 1, Book 5 Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them English, Hadith 1283
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1342
^Sunan Abu Dawood 1122
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 733
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 1117
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1590
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 35
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 1591
^Sunan ibn Maja English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1281
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1340
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1568
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 13
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 1569
^Sunan al-Tirmidhi 533
In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 4
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 533
^Reference :
Sahih Muslim 878 a
In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 78
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1907
(deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 917
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 42
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 918
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1744
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 147
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1745
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 972
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 97
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 973
^Sunan
Al-Nasa'i 997
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 122
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 998
^Sunan Ibn Majah English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 836
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 885
^Sunan Ibn Majah English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 887, Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 937
Al-Aʻlā (
Arabic: الأعلى,
lit. 'The Most High, Glory To Your Lord In The Highest') is the eighty-seventh chapter (surah) of the
Qur'an, 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 and
Moses in the
scriptures.[1] This sura is part of the series of
Al-Musabbihat as it begins with the glorification of Allah. This is a Makkan surah. 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 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
Ibn ‘Abbas (d.687) narrated: The Prophet recited in Witr: Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High (Al-Ala).[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
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".[10]
Samra ibn Jundab 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). [11][12][13][14]
It was narrated from
Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet used to recite in the ‘
Eid prayers "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High." (Al-Ala) and “Has there come to you the narration of the overwhelming?” (
Al-Ghashiyah).[15][16][17][18]
It was narrated from
al-Nu'man b. Bashir that: The Messenger of Allah used to recite on the two
Eid prayers and on
Jumu'ah: "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).[19][20][21]
It was narrated that
Imran ibn Husain said: "The Prophet prayed
Zuhr 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'".[22][23]
Abu Bakr bin An-Nadr said: "We were in At-Taff with Anas, and he led them in praying
Zuhr. 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). [24]
It was narrated that
Jabir 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 or;
When the heaven is cleft asunder?"[25][26]
Narrated
Uqbah ibn Amir: “When the following was revealed: ‘So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great’,[69:52] the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your
Ruku’.’ And when the following was revealed: ‘Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High.’[87:1] the Messenger of Allah said to us: ‘Say this in your prostrations.’”[27]
^Wherry, Elwood Morris (1896). A Complete Index to
Sale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain.
^Sunan an-Nasa'i (d.915) 1743
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 146
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1744
^Jami` at-Tirmidhi 462
In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 10
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 462
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1703
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 106
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1704
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1733
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 136
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1734
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1741
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 144
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1742
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1750
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 153
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1751
^Sunan Abu Dawud 829
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 439
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 828
^Abu Dawud said; In this tradition the other narrators have differed from the narrator Wakl. This has been narrated by Wakl, and Shu’bah from Abu Ishaq, from Sa’ld b. Jubair, from
Ibn ‘Abbas as his own statement (and not from the Prophet).
Sunan Abi Dawud 883
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 493
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 882
^Grade :
Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference :
Sunan Abu Dawood 1125
In-book reference : Book 2 Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat)
(393)Chapter: What Should Be Recited During The Friday Prayer Hadith 736
English translation : Book 3, Hadith 1120
^Sunan ibn Maja English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1120
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1174
^Sunan an-Nasa'i Vol. 2, Book 14:The Book of Jumu'ah, Hadith 1423 (Friday Prayer)
^Sunan al-Tirmidhi 519
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 32
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 519
^Sunan ibn Maja reference : Vol. 1, Book 5 Establishing the Prayer and the Sunnah Regarding Them English, Hadith 1283
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1342
^Sunan Abu Dawood 1122
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 733
English translation : Book 2, Hadith 1117
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1590
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 35
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 1591
^Sunan ibn Maja English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1281
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 1340
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1568
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 13
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 1569
^Sunan al-Tirmidhi 533
In-book reference : Book 5, Hadith 4
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 533
^Reference :
Sahih Muslim 878 a
In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 78
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1907
(deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 917
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 42
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 918
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 1744
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 147
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1745
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 972
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 97
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 973
^Sunan
Al-Nasa'i 997
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 122
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 998
^Sunan Ibn Majah English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 836
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 885
^Sunan Ibn Majah English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 887, Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 937