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Chapter 87

The Most Exaltedal-Aʿlā ( الأعلى )

19 verses • revealed at Meccan

»The surah that opens with the command to highly exalt God, the Divine One who is The Most Exalted, far above all that is unworthy that people wrongly attribute to Him. It is named after “the Most Exalted” (al-aʿlā), mentioned in verse 1. The surah reassures the Prophet Muḥammad that God will help him and urging him to continue with his mission. The temporary nature of this world is highlighted through mention of the short life of green pasture (cf. verse 10:24 and verse 18: 45).«

The surah is also known as Glory to Lord in the Highest, The Highest, The Most High

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Yusuf Ali: In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1
سَبِّحِ اسمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعلَى

Yusuf Ali

This is one of the earliest of the Meccan Sūras, being usually placed eighth in chronological order, and immediately after S. 81.
The argument is that God has made man capable of progress by ordered steps, and by His Revelation will lead him still higher to purification and perfection.
[87:1-19] Wonderful are the ways of God in creation, and the love with which He guides His creatures’ destinies, gives them the means by which to strive for maturity by ordered steps, and reach the end most fitted for their natures. His Law is just and easy, and His Grace is ever ready to help: let us look to the Eternal Goal, with hearts and souls of Purity, and glorify His name; for in this changing, fleeting world, His Word is always true, and will remain, through all the ages, ever the same.
Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord1 Most High,
  • The word “Lord” by itself is an inadequate rendering here for Rabb. For it implies cherishing, guarding from harm, sustaining, granting all the means and opportunities of development. See n. to 1:2. For shortness, perhaps “Guardian-Lord” will be sufficient in the Text.