Tag Archives: Prophet is tasked only with delivering the message (“فَذَكِّرْ”)

Islamic knowledge

Chapter 87/ Al-A’Ala

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/c0cb2fcd-0b7c-47f4-ae8f-d399727ff044/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-87.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on the search results, here is a concise summary of Surah Al-A’la (Chapter 87) from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A’la Maududi:

1. Central Theme: Tawhid (Divine Oneness)

The Surah opens with the command to glorify Allah’s name (“سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ”) . This emphasizes:

  • Using only Allah’s authorized names that reflect His perfection, avoiding any attributes that imply deficiency or likeness to creation.
  • Rejecting blasphemy or irreverent mentions of Allah, as human language cannot fully encompass His transcendence .

2. Allah’s Creative Power and Sovereignty

Verses 2–5 highlight Allah as the Creator who:

  • Designed all things with precision (“خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ” – created and proportioned).
  • Destined and guided all creation (“قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ”).
  • Illustrated through the cycle of vegetation: He brings forth pastures, then reduces them to “dark stubble” (غُثَآءً أَحْوَىٰ), symbolizing His control over life and decay .

3. Reassurance to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

  • Allah promises to preserve the Quran in the Prophet’s memory (“سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنسَىٰٓ”), except what He wills to be forgotten. This addresses early concerns about revelation retention .
  • The Prophet is tasked only with delivering the message (“فَذَكِّرْ”), not forcing acceptance. Reminders benefit only those who fear Allah (يَخْشَىٰ) .

4. Consequences for Rejecters vs. Believers

  • The Wretched (ٱلْأَشْقَى): Those who reject the message will face the “Great Fire” (ٱلنَّارَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ), where they neither die nor find relief .
  • The Successful (أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ): True success lies in self-purification, remembering Allah, and prayer (“وَذَكَرَ ٱسْمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ”) .

5. Critique of Worldly Attachment

Verse 16–17 condemn preferring the fleeting “life of this world” (ٱلْحَيَوٲةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا) over the superior, eternal Hereafter (“وَٱلْأَخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ”) .

6. Connection to Previous Scriptures

The Surah concludes (verses 18–19) by affirming its message was also in the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses (“صُحُفِ إِبْرَٲهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ”), underscoring the consistency of divine guidance .

Key Context from Tafheem:

  • Revelation Period: Early Meccan, addressing the Prophet’s initial apprehensions about revelation .
  • Practical Directive: The command “سَبِّحِ” implies guarding Allah’s honor in speech, thought, and social conduct .

For deeper analysis, refer to Tafheem-ul-Quran, Surah 87 .

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 87, Al-A’la, focuses on glorifying Allah, His creation, and guidance, with assurances to the Prophet Muhammad for reciting and remembering the Quran.
  • It seems likely that the surah contrasts the fates of the righteous, who purify themselves and succeed, with the wretched, who face punishment for disbelief.
  • The evidence leans toward emphasizing the superiority of the Hereafter over worldly life, with teachings consistent with earlier revelations like the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses.

Overview

Surah 87, known as Al-A’la (The Most High), is a Meccan chapter of the Quran, and Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed commentary on its themes. This summary, based on Tafheemul Quran, explores the glorification of Allah, His creative power, the Prophet’s role, and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, with an emphasis on the Hereafter.

Glorification of Allah and Creation

The surah begins by commanding the glorification of Allah’s name, emphasizing His status as the Most High. It highlights Allah’s role as the Creator who fashioned all things in perfect proportion, a sign of His wisdom and design, and as the One who determines destiny and provides guidance, ensuring everything functions as intended. The surah also points to Allah’s power over creation and decay, using the example of pasture that grows and then turns to stubble, symbolizing the cycles of life and death.

Assurance to the Prophet

Verses assure the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that Allah will enable him to recite the Quran and remember it without forgetting, except by Allah’s will, and that Allah knows all that is manifest and hidden. It promises that Allah will make the path of Islam easy for the Prophet, facilitating his mission to preach the message.

Reminder and Accountability

The surah instructs the Prophet to remind people of the truth, noting that only those who fear Allah will heed the message, while the wretched will turn away. It describes the punishment of the wretched, who will burn in the Great Fire, neither dying nor truly living, as a consequence of their disbelief. In contrast, success is promised to those who purify themselves (in faith, morals, and deeds), remember Allah’s name, and perform prayer, with the prayer beginning with “Allahu Akbar.”

Worldly Life vs. Hereafter

The surah contrasts the human preference for worldly life with the reality that the Hereafter is better and everlasting, underscoring its superiority. It concludes by stating that these teachings are not new but are also found in the ancient Scrolls of Abraham and Moses, emphasizing the consistency of divine revelation across time.

Comprehensive Analysis of Surah 87 (Al-A’la) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides an in-depth examination of Surah 87, Al-A’la, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, offering a detailed exploration of its themes, verses, and commentary. The analysis is grounded in the tafsir’s insights, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers seeking depth beyond the overview, and is based on content available from reliable sources such as Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87.

Background and Context

Surah 87 is a Meccan surah, focusing on themes of divine glorification, creation, and accountability. Tafheemul Quran, a combination of orthodox and modernist interpretation, provides extensive commentary, integrating theological and moral perspectives. Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is noted for its clarity and application to contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding this surah. The commentary is accessible through various platforms, including Tafheemul Quran online, which was consulted for this analysis.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Commentary

The following table summarizes the key segments of Surah 87, their themes, and relevant commentary from Tafheemul Quran, ensuring a structured presentation of the content.VersesThemeSummary from Tafheemul Quran 87:1-3 Glorification of Allah Commands the glorification of Allah’s name, emphasizing His status as the Most High. Highlights Allah’s role as the Creator who fashioned all things in proportion, a sign of His wisdom, and as the One who determines destiny and provides guidance. The commentary notes that glorifying Allah includes remembering Him with fitting names, avoiding disrespectful contexts, and remembering Him with dignity, fear, and awe, as seen in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verse 1. 87:4-5 Creation and Decay Describes Allah’s power over creation and decay, using the example of pasture that grows and then turns to stubble, symbolizing the cycles of life and death. The commentary explains this as evidence of Allah’s control, comparing it to natural cycles like spring and autumn, as detailed in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 4-5. 87:6-7 Assurance to the Prophet Assures the Prophet that Allah will enable him to recite and remember the Quran, and that Allah knows all that is manifest and hidden. The commentary references other surahs, such as Surah TaHa (20:114) and Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:16-19), to provide context for the Prophet’s role in receiving and preserving the Quran, as seen in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 6-7. 87:8 Ease of the Path Promises that Allah will make the path of Islam easy for the Prophet, facilitating his mission. The commentary highlights this as divine support for the Prophet’s preaching, as noted in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verse 8. 87:9-10 Reminder and Accountability Instructs the Prophet to remind people, noting that only those who fear Allah will heed, while the wretched will turn away. The commentary emphasizes the importance of reminding as a prophetic duty, as detailed in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 9-10. 87:11-13 Punishment of the Wretched Describes the punishment of the wretched, who will burn in the Great Fire, neither dying nor truly living, as a consequence of their disbelief. The commentary underscores this as a warning against persistent disbelief, as seen in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 11-13. 87:14-15 Success of the Righteous Defines success as purifying oneself (in faith, morals, and deeds), remembering Allah’s name, and performing prayer, with the prayer starting with “Allahu Akbar.” The commentary explains purification as encompassing faith, morals, and deeds, and highlights the significance of prayer, as noted in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 14-15. 87:16-17 Worldly Life vs. Hereafter Contrasts the human preference for worldly life with the superiority and everlasting nature of the Hereafter. The commentary urges believers to prioritize eternal rewards, as detailed in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 16-17. 87:18-19 Consistency of Divine Revelation States that these teachings are also found in the ancient Scrolls of Abraham and Moses, emphasizing the consistency of divine revelation. The commentary notes this as evidence of the unity of divine guidance, as seen in Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, Verses 18-19.

Thematic Insights from Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes several key themes, drawing from the detailed verse-by-verse analysis:

  • Glorification of Allah: The surah begins with a command to glorify Allah’s name, emphasizing His greatness and the need to remember Him with fitting reverence. This includes avoiding disrespectful contexts and remembering Him with dignity, fear, and awe, as noted in the commentary for Verse 1. This theme aligns with Maududi’s focus on theological reverence, as seen in Tafheemul Quran Introduction.
  • Divine Creation and Power: The commentary highlights Allah’s role as the Creator who fashioned everything in proportion, a sign of His wisdom and design. The cycles of creation and decay, such as pasture turning to stubble, are presented as evidence of Allah’s control over all things, as detailed in Verses 4-5. This reflects Maududi’s approach to integrating natural phenomena with theological insights.
  • Assurance to the Prophet: The surah provides comfort to the Prophet, assuring him that Allah will enable him to recite and remember the Quran, and that the path of Islam will be made easy for him. This reflects the divine support for the Prophet’s mission, as noted in Verses 6-8, and is supported by references to other surahs like Surah TaHa and Surah Al-Qiyamah, as seen in the commentary.
  • Accountability and Contrast: The surah contrasts the fate of the righteous, who purify themselves and remember Allah, with the wretched, who face the Great Fire for their disbelief. This underscores the importance of faith, morality, and obedience, as detailed in Verses 9-15, and aligns with Maududi’s emphasis on moral conduct.
  • Worldly Life vs. Hereafter: The commentary emphasizes the superiority of the Hereafter over worldly life, urging believers to prioritize eternal rewards over temporary gains, as seen in Verses 16-17. This reflects Maududi’s focus on eschatological themes and their relevance to contemporary life.
  • Consistency of Revelation: The surah notes that its teachings are consistent with earlier revelations, such as the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses, reinforcing the unity of divine guidance across time, as detailed in Verses 18-19. This aligns with Maududi’s approach to highlighting the continuity of Islamic teachings.

Supporting Evidence and References

Tafheemul Quran integrates Quranic cross-references, such as Surah TaHa (20:114) and Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:16-19), to provide context for the Prophet’s role in receiving and preserving the Quran. It also draws on theological insights, such as the importance of glorifying Allah’s name and the significance of prayer, to reinforce the surah’s moral and spiritual lessons. The commentary is accessible through Tafheemul Quran, Surah 87, and additional resources for comparison include:

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, capturing all nuances from Maududi’s tafsir, and aligns with the user’s request for a summary based solely on Tafheemul Quran. The content was derived from reliable sources, ensuring accuracy and depth, and is presented as a standalone document for the user’s reference.