Name
This surah is called Surat Al-A?la. [505] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/271.
It is also called Surat Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High).
It was narrated that Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Mu?adh used to pray with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), then he would come and lead his people in prayer. One night, he prayed ?Isha? with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), then he came to his people and led them in prayer, and he started to recite Surat Al-Baqarah? And in this hadith it states that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Mu?adh (may Allah be pleased with him): ?Recite Wa?sh-shamsi wa duhaha (By the sun and its light) Ash-Shams 91, Wa?d-duha (By the morning brightness) Ad-Duha 93, Wa?l-layli idha yaghsha (By the night when it covers) Al-Layl 92 and Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A ?la 87. [506] Narrated by Muslim, 465.
Virtues and characteristics
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite it in the first rak?ah of Jumu?ah and Eid prayers.
It was narrated that An-Nu?man ibn Bashir (R#) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in the Eid prayer and Jumu?ah prayer: Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A?la 87 and Hal ataka hadith Al-ghashiyah (Has there reached you the report of the Overwhelming event?) Al-Ghashiyah 88. He said: And if Eid and Jumu?ah occurred on the same day, he would still recite them in both prayers. [507] Narrated by Muslim, 878. ?
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite it in the first rak?ah of the two rak?ahs before Witr.
It was narrated that ?Abdullah ibn ?Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to pray Witr with three rak?ahs; in the first he would recite Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A?la 87, in the second he would recite Qul ya ayyaha?l-kafirun (Say, O disbelievers) Al-Kafirun 109, and in the third he would recite Qul Huwa Allahu ahad (Say, He is Allah, who is One) Al-Ikhlas 112. [508] Narrated by An-Nasa?i, 1702; Ahmad, 2720.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-A?la is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [509] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include Ibn Al-Jawzi. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/431.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Highlighting an important aspect of Allah?s blessings, which cannot be counted. [510] At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/360.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-A?la include:
The surah begins by declaring Allah (%) to be far above any shortcoming.
Establishing proof of the oneness of Allah (%).
A reminder of Allah?s blessings to His Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and His support and reassurance.
Mention of those who benefit from the reminder, and those who turn away from it, and the fate of the latter.
Mention of some of the scriptures of Ibrahim and Musa (peace be upon them).