ভূমিকা

Corresponding to that, it names seven attributes of Allah the Most High. The second part is about the humble believers, and the wretched rejecters. It expresses, concisely, the cause of their felicity and wickedness. At the end of the Surah, it is stated that these facts (pointed out in these verses) are mentioned not only in the Holy Qur'an, but are also mentioned in the earlier Scriptures; as well as the Scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

The Virtue in Studying this Surah There are many narrations cited on the virtue of reciting this Surah; among them is a tradition from the (S) which says: “Allah will reward him, who recites this Surah, the number of words, tenfold, which were revealed to Abraham, Moses and Muhammad.” [^1] There are several narrations which denote that whenever the Prophet (S) or one of the twelve Imams (as) recited Surah A'la, they used to say /subhana rabbi-al-a'la/ 'Glory be to my Lord, the Most High'.

Another narration says that one of the companions of Hazrat Ali (as) said that he prayed twenty consecutive nights behind him (as) and he (as) did not recite any Surah, except Surah A’la. Also, he (as) said that if they knew what a blessing it has, every single one of them would recite the Surah ten times each day.

He added that he who recites the Surah has, in essence, recited the Book and the Scriptures of Moses and Abraham.[^2] In short, as it is understood from all the narrations about it, this Surah stands out with special importance. Again, a tradition from Hazrat Ali (as) says that Surah A'la was beloved by the Holy Prophet (S).[^3] Opinions are divided over this Surah as to whether it was revealed in Mecca or Medina, but the popular idea among commentators is that it was revealed in Mecca.