سورة الأعراف   

Surah Name: Al-A'raf Meaning:The Heights

  • Revealed at Makkah
  • The foundation of Islam is on the transparent belief in the Unity of Allah-SWT . The relationship between man and Allah-SWT is such that the former must present his needs only before Him-SWT display his utter humility and insignificance. The theme of the preceding Surah is further expanded here, with emphasis on the importance of the Prophethood because no one can, on his own, comprehend Allah-SWT's Magnificence. He-SWT is beyond human senses. Allah-SWT's Cognition is a feeling induced into the human heart, and this honour is conferred upon the subtle hearts of His-SWT Prophets-AS through Revelations. They distribute these blessings amongst their followers, through a process known as Tazkiyah. In other words, the heart that receives this light is purified and capacitated to comprehend the Divine Book and the Wisdom. Thus the cognition of the Prophet-AS‘s paves the way to the Cognition of Allah-SWT ’. This Surah discusses the importance of Prophethood, supporting it with both logical and chronicle evidence, in the light of history of the preceding nations and their Prophets"-AS their conduct and the end results thereof. Towards the end is the discussion on the Unity of Allah-SWT ’. Also listed are some of His-SWT ’ Commands to facilitate His-SWT Cognition through obedience

  • Total Number of Rukū / Sections 24
  • Total Number of Āyāt / Parts 206
  • Sūrah / Chapter number 7
  • Rukū / Section 1 contains Āyāt / Parts 10
  • Siparah/ Volume 8 & 9

bismillah

المص

Aliflammeemsad

Alif Lam, Mim, Suad.

(7:1)

كِتَابٌ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ فَلاَ يَكُن فِي صَدْرِكَ حَرَجٌ مِّنْهُ لِتُنذِرَ بِهِ وَذِكْرَى لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Kitabun onzila ilayka fala yakun fee sadrika harajun minhu litunthira bihi wathikralilmumineen(a)

This is a Book sent down to you-SW: so let there be no straitness in your-SW breast therefore: that you-SW may warn, and this is an admonition to the faithful.

(7:2)

اتَّبِعُواْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاء قَلِيلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ

IttabiAAoo ma onzila ilaykum min rabbikum wala tattabiAAoo min doonihi awliyaa qaleelan ma tathakkaroon(a)

Follow what has been brought down to you from your Rabb-SWT and do not follow any patrons beside Him-SWT : yet little are you admonished.

(7:3)

وَكَم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا فَجَاءهَا بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتًا أَوْ هُمْ قَآئِلُونَ

Wakam min qaryatin ahlaknaha fajaaha basuna bayatan aw hum qailoon(a)

And many a town We-SWT have destroyed; upon them Our-SWT scourge came at night or while they were taking their midday rest.

(7:4)

فَمَا كَانَ دَعْوَاهُمْ إِذْ جَاءهُمْ بَأْسُنَا إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ

Fama kana daAAwahum ith jaahum basuna illa an qaloo inna kunna thalimeen(a)

Then nothing was their cry when Our-SWT scourge came upon them save that they said: indeed we have been the wrong-doers.

(7:5)

فَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

Falanasalanna allatheena orsila ilayhim walanasalanna almursaleen(a)

Then We-SWT will surely question those to whom were Our-SWT Messengers-AS sent, and We-SWT will surely question the sent ones.

(7:6)

فَلَنَقُصَّنَّ عَلَيْهِم بِعِلْمٍ وَمَا كُنَّا غَآئِبِينَ

Falanaqussanna AAalayhim biAAilmin wama kunna ghaibeen(a)

Then We-SW’ will surely recount to them with knowledge, and We-SWT have not been absent.

(7:7)

وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ فَمَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Wa(a)lwaznu yawmaithini alhaqqu faman thaqulat mawazeenuhu faolaika humu almuflihoon(a)

And the weighing on that Day is certain; then those whose Scales will be heavy, shall fare well.

(7:8)

وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا يِظْلِمُونَ

Waman khaffat mawazeenuhu faolaika allatheena khasiroo anfusahum bima kanoo biayatina yathlimoon(a)

And those whose Scales will be light-they are those who lost themselves in respect of Our-SWT Signs.

(7:9)

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّاكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

Walaqad makkannakum fee alardi wajaAAalna lakum feeha maAAayisha qaleelan ma tashkuroon(a)

And assuredly We-SWT established you in the earth and appointed for your livelihood therein: yet little thanks do you return.

(7:10)

In The Name of Allah-SWT the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
SECRETS OF REVELATION:

What Is a Book?

As already explained, the knowledge of Isolated Letters is a secret between Allaah-SWT and His-SWT Prophet-SW. Those whom Allaah-SWT blesses with a cordial relationship with the Holy Prophet-SW may also be enlightened in accordance with their spiritual status. It is essential to hold this belief and to enjoy the merit of recitation without probing into their meanings.

 

This is comprehensive, complete and a true Book. To scribble and put papers together does not make a book. Every book has a certain topic, and it should convey to its readers the true and complete facts about it. Human beings work on assumptions, whereas only Allah-SWT's Word is final and conclusive. Thus only a Divine Book meets the true definition of a book. Here Allaah-SWT declares the Quran as the Divine Book revealed unto the Holy Prophet-SW to warn the arrogant of the end results of their wrongdoings, and guide the believers to a Path whereby they may attain the maximum of His-SWT ’ Nearness. Allaah-SWT consoles the Holy Prophet-SW not to be aggrieved by peoples, negative response to his untiring efforts to convey the Divine Message. Those who do not accept will be condemned to Hell, in perpetual torment. Their denial is by their own choice and free will, therefore, the Holy Prophet-SW need not grieve over it.

 

It was the innate compassion of the Holy Prophet-SW that he-SW was aggrieved by the inevitable ill fate of even his-SW antagonists. Just imagine how affectionate will he-SW be towards his followers. If only the Muslims realize it, they would not disobey Allaah-SWT ’ lest it aggrieves the Holy Prophet-SW besides causing personal losses. It is also clarified that the interpretation of the Divine Book is the domain of Allah-SWT's Prophet-SW, and none else, nor is anyone given the capability to do so. Thus the only authentic Commentary of the Quran will be the one substantiated by Hadith. I believe that without Tazkiyah, a person may force himself to obedience but shall remain void of its pleasure.

 

O’ People! This Book has been revealed by your Rabb-SWT , Whose Providence dictates that He-SWT will not only fulfill your temporal but also your spiritual and eternal needs. So He-SWT has provided for both. Just as you take food and medicine for your physical health similarly for your eternal bliss, it is imperative that you worship and "obey Him-SWT . It is your duty to accept the Message of Allaah-SWT ’ whole heartedly. Even if you have to lose your life in the process you must, but do not let the eternal bliss slip out of your hands. This can only be accomplished when He-SWT is accepted as the centre of all your hopes and aspirations and none else. Obviously, you will have to obey the one you pin your hopes upon. This is a very simple concept, but here have always been very few people who understood it, while most were dazed by the charm and glitter of this world. They indulged in sin to such an extent that they qualified for punishment in this very life. Many of them were destroyed over night while engaged in merry making, while others perished during their midday siesta, and never got the chance to wake up. All of them inhabited this very earth, and never gave any consideration to the Divine Commandments. Finally when they were seized by His-SWT ’ Affliction, the realization of their follies availed them naught. Therefore, O’ man! Do pay heed to the fate of your disbelieving and defiant ancestors.

 

This worldly life is neither an idle sport nor fun. Even the Prophets-AS and the Messengers-AS will account for their responsibilities, and will be asked whether or not they had conveyed the Divine Message. They will be questioned despite their innocence and the fact that they exerted all their energies to achieve the mission for which raised. The Holy Prophet-SW highlighted this in his-SW Farewell Address in Arafat, when he-SW inquired from the audience as to how did he-SW fare with his-SW mission? All of them replied: "You-SW have indeed fully lived upto the task of conveying the Divine Message’. Thereupon the Holy Prophet-SW raised his-SW finger towards the heavens and said thrice: Allaah-SWT ’! Be my witness."

 

 If this is the state of the Prophets-AS "with regard to accountability, how come those unto whom they had been sent hope for evading questioning. Still most of them did not even bother to listen to the Prophets-AS  The questioning will be thorough, down to the minutest details of actions, which even the doers would have forgotten. Declares Allaah-SWT ’: "I-SWT ’ will make them remember everything as I-SWT ’ am always watching, and nothing escapes My-SWT ’ knowledge."

 

Today it is generally believed that the one in power, or the affluent wins the day. Whether one is afraid of the responsibility the power brings, or becomes arrogant once he acquires it will be known on the Day of Judgement, when everything including beliefs and practices will be weighed on the most accurate Scales. Therefore, do not assume any action as intangible or weightless, and therefore, not liable. Allaah-SWT ’ is all Powerful to personify every sin or give weight to states without any physical appearance or form. Thus the acts of obedience shall be placed on one side of the Scales and the deeds of disobedience on the other. If the weight of the former is more, the person will be emancipated. Otherwise the abode will be Hell, proportionate to the gravity of the sins, and this indeed will be a great loss. If one had acquired wealth, power or fame by employing unfair means, he shall face the torment of Hell. The basic cause for this loss is the denial of Allah-SWT's Signs. Disbelief is such a crime that no piety can ever coexist with it and it drives the disobedient to Hell. On the contrary, the believers are forgiven, as faith does invoke His-SWT Mercy. The Commentators have discussed the weight of different deeds, and their relative value on the Scales. In case of a believer, there is every hope of ultimate salvation, even if he has to suffer in Hell for a while for any sin. But disbelief leads to everlasting doom.

 

Life on Moon and Other Planets

Allah-SWT has created the earth as human abode and has placed all the material resources of life therein. This clearly shows that all resources of human life are only available on earth. If one aspires to settle on the moon or any other planet, he will have to take all the resources of life from here, not only the food but also the atmosphere, the climate, the oxygen etc. How difficult and unnatural would it be to live there! If only the billions of dollars squandered away senselessly on excursions to the moon and in the space are spent on the earth for the betterment of mankind! In spite of the innumerable blessings there are very few people who show gratitude to Allaah-SWT by obeying Him-SWT .

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