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Names

This surah is called Surat Al-A?raf. [83] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/203; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 8b/5.
It was narrated from ?A?ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited Surat Al-A?raf in Maghrib prayer, dividing it between two rak?ahs. [84] Narrated by An-Nasa?i, 991; At-Tabarani: Musnad Ash-Shamiyyin, 3362; Al-Bayhaqi, 4208.
It was narrated from Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said to Marwan ibn Al-Hakam: Why do I see you reciting short surahs in Maghrib, when I saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) reciting in it the longer of the two long surahs? Marwan said: I said: O Abu ?Abdillah, what is the longer of the two long surahs? He said: Al-A?raf. [85] Narrated by Abu Dawud, 812; An-Nasa?i, 990; Ahmad, 21641.

Virtues and characteristics

It was narrated from ?A?ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited Surat Al-A?raf in Maghrib prayer, dividing it between two rak?ahs. [86] Narrated by An-Nasa?i, 991; At-Tabarani: Musnad Ash-Shamiyyin, 3362; Al-Bayhaqi, 4208.

Makki or Madani?

Surat Al-A?raf is Makki. It was narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [87] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Al-Fayruzabadi and Muhammad Rashid Rida. See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/203; Muhammad Rashid Rida: Tafsir Al-Manar, 8/260.

Objectives

The most important objectives of Surat Al-A?raf include:
Consoling the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for the disbelievers? rejection of him. [88] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/204.
Explaining the foundations of creed and fundamental principles of religion.
Highlighting humanity?s journey from the creation of Adam (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) until the onset of the Hour.
Warning those who turn away from that to which the Book calls of affirming Allah?s oneness (Tawhid) and other matters. [89] See: Al-Baqa?i: Nazm Ad-Durar, 7/347.

Topics

The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-A?raf include:
Pointing out how great the Qur?an is.
Prohibition on ascribing partners to Allah, and warning the polytheists of the bad consequences of their associating others with Allah, in this world and the hereafter; a description of what befell the polytheists and those who rejected the messengers of severe punishment in this world, and what will befall them in the hereafter; establishing proof of the Oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,.
The weighing of deeds on the Day of Resurrection; reminding people of the blessing in the creation of the earth and enabling humankind to benefit from its good things, and Allah?s blessing humankind by creating their origin Adam and favouring him over other creatures.
The creation of Adam (peace be upon him); the refusal of Iblis to prostrate to him, and his whispering to Adam and his wife to eat from the tree; the consequences of the enmity of the devil race towards humankind; warning people against being deceived by the scheming of the Shaytan, such as his encouraging them to deprive themselves of good things, and warning them against falling into that which will lead to them being punished in the hereafter.
Description of the horrors of the Day of requital for the evildoers, and Allah?s honouring of the pious.
The story of the people of the heights (Al-a?raf); and a reminder of the resurrection, along with evidence for it.
Prohibition on spreading mischief in the earth that Allah has made fit for humans to live on; a reminder of the wonders that Allah has created on earth to revive it and make it habitable for humans.
Stories of the messengers (peace be upon them) with their polytheistic peoples and what they were faced with of their stubbornness and harm, starting with the story of Nuh and the Flood, then Hud and the destruction of ?Ad, then Salih and the destruction of Thamud, then the story of Lut and his people, then the story of Shu?ayb and the people of Madyan.
Alarming those who feel safe from Allah?s plan and warning them not to be deceived by Allah?s giving respite to the people before the punishment befalls them, leaving them no excuse, so that they will give up their disbelief and stubbornness, for the punishment will come suddenly after that respite.
Some details about the story of Musa (peace be upon him) with Pharaoh and the magicians, and how the Children of Israel sought Allah?s help; the distinct signs that Allah sent upon the Egyptians; Musa?s leaving Harun (peace be upon him) in charge of his people and his going at the time appointed by Allah; the story of the calf of As-Samiri during Musa?s absence; Musa?s return to his people and how he spoke to his brother Harun (peace be upon him).
Allah?s foretelling the sending of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), a description of his ummah and the superiority of his religion.
Mention of the sons of Ya?qub (Al-asbat) and the story of those who broke the Sabbath.
Exhorting the polytheists and explaining how they altered monotheistic religion and followed polytheism; the parable of the one to whom Allah gave signs, but the Shaytan whispered to him and he discarded guidance.
The condition of those who are misguided, and a description of their rejection of what the messenger brought; proof that their gods are not divine; statement that to Allah belong the most beautiful attributes of perfection.
The command of Allah to His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the Muslims to be patient and to persist in calling people to Him; a warning to them of the tricks and whispers of the Shaytan, and that they should seek help against him by being mindful of Allah, mentioning Him to oneself quietly and so that others may hear, and focusing on worshipping Him.
The covenant that Allah took from humanity, that they would worship Him alone, not associating anything with him; urging them to think and reflect on the wonders of the heavens and the earth.

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