087- AL-A’LA
THE MOST HIGH
Opinions are divided as to whether al-Aʿlā is a Makkan or Madinan sūrah, but the majority maintain that it is early Makkan. It is often placed eighth in the chronological order of revelation, immediately after Sūrah 81, al-Takwīr. Some consider the first part of the sūrah to be Makkan and the last part to be Madinan, since it contains words about prayer and the zakāh (alms) in vv. 14–15, which, according to narrations from the family of the Prophet, refer to “the prayer and zakāh on the ʿĪd al-fiṭr [Feast of Breaking Fast],” which was not institutionalized until the Madinan period. Others say that it can still refer to these ritual practices, although it was revealed before them, and that the whole sūrah is Makkan.
The Prophet is said to have recommended reciting Sūrahs 87 and 88 for the evening prayer. These same sūrahs were often recited by the Prophet on both the ʿĪd al-fiṭr, marking the end of Ramadan, and the ʿĪd al-aḍḥā, marking the completion of the ḥajj, and during the Friday congregational prayer. He is also said to have advised his followers to recite it while in prostration. In the Shiite tradition, it is related that, according to Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, if people knew what a blessing al-Aʿlā has, every person would recite it ten times each day, and one who recites it has, in essence, recited the Quran and the scriptures of Moses and Abraham.
The sūrah begins with glorification of God (vv. 1–5) and encouragement for the Prophet (vv. 6–9) followed by a contrast between those who heed the Quran and those who avoid it (vv. 10–15). It concludes with a sharp rebuke of those who prefer this world (vv. 16–17) and an affirmation of the connection between the Quran and previous revelations (vv. 18–19).
(source: “The Study Quran” a new translation and commentary by Seyyed Hossein Nasr)
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