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 2 contains Āyāt / Parts 15
  • Siparah/ Volume 8 & 9

bismillah

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلآئِكَةِ اسْجُدُواْ لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُواْ إِلاَّ إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ

Walaqad khalaqnakum thumma sawwarnakum thumma qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa lam yakun mina a(l)ssajideen(a)

And assuredly We-SWT created you, then We-SWT fashioned you, and thereafter We-SWT ’ said to the angels-AS; do Sajdah to Aadam-AS; then they did Sajdah; not so Iblis: he was not of those who made obeisance.

(7:11)

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلاَّ تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ قَالَ أَنَاْ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ

Qala ma manaAAaka alla tasjuda ith amartuka qala ana khayrun minhu khalaqtanee min narin wakhalaqtahu min teen(in)

Allah-SWT said; what prevented you, that you should not do Sajdah, when I-SWT Commanded you? Iblis said: I am better than he; me You-SWT have created of fire and him You-SWT have created of clay.

(7:12)

قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ

Qala fa(i)hbit minha fama yakoonu laka an tatakabbara feeha fa(o)khruj innaka mina a(l)ssaghireen(a)

Allah-SWT said; then get you down from hence, not for you is to be stiff-necked herein; so go you forth; surely you are of the abject ones.

(7:13)

قَالَ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

Qala anthirnee ila yawmi yubAAathoon(a)

Iblis said: respite me till the Day they will be raised up.

(7:14)

قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ المُنظَرِينَ

Qala innaka mina almunthareen(a)

Allah-SWT ’ said: surely you are of the respited.

(7:15)

قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Qala fabima aghwaytanee laaqAAudanna lahum sirataka almustaqeem(a)

Iblis said: because You-SWT have strayed me I will beset for them Your-SWT ’ straight path.

(7:16)

ثُمَّ لآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِهِمْ وَلاَ تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ

Thumma laatiyannahum min bayni aydeehim wamin khalfihim waAAan aymanihim waAAan shamailihim wala tajidu aktharahum shakireen(a)

Then surely I will come upon before them and from behind them and from their right and from their left, and You-SWT shall not find most of them thankful.

(7:17)

قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْؤُومًا مَّدْحُورًا لَّمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لأَمْلأنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

Qala okhruj minha mathooman madhooran laman tabiAAaka minhum laamlaanna jahannama minkum ajmaAAeen(a)

Allah-SWT said: go you forth from hence, scorned, driven away; whoever of them follows you, then of a surety I-SWT will fill Hell with you all.

(7:18)

وَيَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَكُلاَ مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلاَ تَقْرَبَا هَـذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Waya adamu oskun anta wazawjuka aljannata fakula min haythu shituma walataqraba hathihi a(l)shshajarata fatakoona mina a(l)ththalimeen(a)

And: O’ Aadam-AS! Dwell you and your spouse in the Garden, and eat you twain thereof what you will, and also not approach that tree there, lest you twain become of the wrong-doers.

(7:19)

فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْءَاتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَاكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَـذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ إِلاَّ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ الْخَالِدِينَ

Fawaswasa lahuma a(l)shshaytanu liyubdiya lahuma ma wooriya AAanhuma min sawatihima waqala ma nahakuma rabbukuma AAan hathihi a(l)shshajarati illa an takoona malakayni aw takoona mina alkhalideen(a)

Then Satan whispered to the twain in order that he might discover to them what lay hidden from them of their shame, and said: your Rabb-SWT did not forbid you that tree but lest you should become angels or become of the immortals.

(7:20)

وَقَاسَمَهُمَا إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ

Waqasamahuma innee lakuma lamina a(l)nnasiheen(a)

And he swore to them both: I am of your good counselors.

(7:21)

فَدَلاَّهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا الشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَاتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَنَادَاهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَن تِلْكُمَا الشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَآنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

Fadallahuma bighuroorin falamma thaqa a(l)shshajarata badat lahuma sawatuhumawatafiqa yakhsifani AAalayhima min waraqi aljannati wanadahuma rabbuhumaalam anhakuma AAan tilkuma a(l)shshajarati waaqul lakuma inna a(l)shshaytana lakuma AAaduwwun mubeen(un)

In this way with guile he caused the twain to fall. Then when they tasted of the tree, their shame was discovered to them, and they began to cover  themselves with leaves from the Garden. And their Rabb-SWT called out to them: did I-SWT not forbid you that tree, and did I-SWT not tell you Satan is to you a manifest foe?

(7:22)

قَالاَ رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

Qala rabbana thalamna anfusana wain lam taghfir lana watarhamna lanakoonanna mina alkhasireen(a)

The twain said: our Rabb-SWT ! We have wronged our souls, and if You-SWT do not forgive us, we shall of a surety be of the losers.

(7:23)

قَالَ اهْبِطُواْ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَى حِينٍ

Qala ihbitoo baAAdukum libaAAdin AAaduwwun walakum fee alardi mustaqarrun wamataAAun ila heen(in)

Allah-SWT said: get you down, one of you an enemy to another; and for you there shall be on the earth a dwelling and provision for a time.

(7:24)

قَالَ فِيهَا تَحْيَوْنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنْهَا تُخْرَجُونَ

Qala feeha tahyawna wafeeha tamootoona waminha tukhrajoon(a)

Allah-SWT said: on it you shall live and on it you shall die, and from it you shall be raised up.

(7:25)

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

Human life is not a mere accident, nor is the disparity between virtue and vice a game. It has a background that is explained in detail for the betterment of mankind. Once the aim of life becomes clear it will be easier to evaluate success and failure. Until now the concept of success was confined to material achievements, though it is only secondary, while the foremost in importance is the spiritual uplift. If a person is unable to achieve any spiritual elevation, the material gains shall only add to his miseries.

 

Egoism

And We-SWT created your progenitor Prophet Aadam-AS in such a manner that We-SWT first created his matter, then put it together and fashioned it into an exquisite form. We-SWT then educated him on the universe and bestowed him its knowledges. Thus he was blessed with superiority over the entire creation including the one created from light and extremely obedient i.e. the angels, who were ordered to prostrate before him-AS. All complied save the Iblis, who was a Jinn, but had earned himself a status to reside with the angels through his worship and Endeavour. When questioned why he had defied the Divine Command. Iblis said: O’ Allaah-SWT ’! I am better than him. This indeed is egoism; when a person is blessed with qualities and excellence, instead of thanking Allah-SWT, he begins to feel proud and arrogant as if he rightfully deserved them. Since it is a very serious crime for which Iblis was denounced and expelled he in reverse, tries to allure people to indulge in it, so that they are also abased and share the punishment awaiting him. Given a serious thought, it seems that the root cause of every evil in the world is this very statement: "I am better than him". The logic the Satan presented for his stance was that he was created from fire and Prophet Aadam-AS from clay, assuming that the former was superior to the latter. What a silly argument when he himself acknowledges Allaah-SWT ’ as the Creator, the all Knowing, Who-SWT ’ had ordered him to bow. Indeed it was the arrogance within, which blinded him.

 

Progress of the Arrogant is Possible but not Everlasting

Thus Iblis was ordered to leave the heavens abased and descend, as it was not proper to display arrogance at such an exalted place. This happens sometimes with the seekers too, who availing the company of an accomplished Shaikh continue to gain spiritual elevation in spite of egoism hidden in their hearts. However, they are eventually destroyed once it is displayed and become a source of misguidance to others, except the sincere ones without this disease.

 

Iblis requested Allaah-SWT to grant him respite until the Day of Judgement, which was promptly done. Allaah-SWT is all Powerful and entertains the requests of even the non believers in this world, but it will not happen in the Hereafter. According to Hadith, this respite shall end when the earth wrecks with the first blow of the Trumpet, and Iblis will also die.

 

Supplication of an Infidel

Iblis said, "O’ Allaah-SWT ’! Just as You-SWT have let me astray I shall also avenge this by employing all possible means to allure his progeny from the right track. O' Allaah-SWT you will see that most of them shall follow my instructions and be ungrateful to You-SWT ’."

 

To Blame Fate for one's Sins is Satanic

So Allaah-SWT drove away Iblis, abject and humiliated, for his arrogance and willful defiance of Divine Authority and declared that all his followers would also accompany him to Hell. In mankind, such behavior stems from prolonged indulgence in sin which blackens the heart and the person puts the onus on destiny, holding Allaah-SWT ’ responsible for his misdeeds. He thus becomes rebellious before Allaah-SWT like Iblis.

 

Prophet Aadam-AS and his wife were Commanded to take Paradise as their abode and freely enjoy the hospitality, but not to go near a particular tree, which was forbidden lest they err. Iblis was aware of the fact which was yet unknown to Prophet Aadam-AS that the fruit of that tree would expose and activate their reproductive organs. How amazing that this first human being and the Prophet-AS had been blessed with the knowledge of everything in the entire universe but was unaware of the mysteries of his own soul! So Iblis employed whisperings. He beguiled the twain to believe that the fruit of the forbidden tree transforms human mortals into immortal angels, making Paradise their permanent abode and they will never have to leave for earth. To prove his sincerity, he swore upon Allaah-SWT ’ and posed as a real well wisher. They innocently fell into his trap. Being clear hearted they could never expect that anyone could swear by Allaah-SWT ’ over a lie while the heart of Iblis was in utter darkness and he swore.

 

As soon as they tasted the tree their shame became manifest and they began to cover themselves up with large leaves from Paradise. Allaah-SWT called out to them: 'Did I-SWT not forbid you to eat from that tree and did I-SWT not tell you that Iblis is to you a manifest enemy.' Although they were beguiled, yet by way of penitence, on realizing the mistake they called out to their Creator for Mercy; "O Allaah-SWT ! Our Provider and Center of all our hopes, we have indeed wronged ourselves. If Your-SWT Mercy and Forgiveness will not shelter us we shall stand nowhere." Allaah-SWT accepted their penitence and bade them to leave for earth where they would live and wherein they and their progeny would be laid to rest after death. They were also informed that the enmity between them and Iblis would go on forever, and, therefore, they must never be unaware of him; for they have to once again return to Paradise, their final destination after Resurrection. And they must never let this enemy of mankind deceive them once again by making them indulge in misdeeds and alluring them away from the right path. This Divine Address, apparently for Prophet Aadam-AS, is actually intended for the entire mankind.

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