Surah Al Ala in Arabic with Translation and Transliteration

Table of Contents

Surah Al-Ala or Al-A'laa, also known as "The Most High," is the eighty-seventh chapter of the Quran. It is a short but profound surah that holds immense significance in Islamic literature. In this blog post, we will delve into the overview, content, and virtues of Surah Al-Ala, exploring its historical context, themes, and spiritual importance.

Surah Al-Ala is one of the shortest chapters in the Quran, consisting of just 19 verses. Despite its brevity, it carries a powerful message that resonates with Muslims worldwide. The surah is part of the 30th Juz (section) of the Quran and is often recited during daily prayers due to its spiritual significance.

Now, let's explore the content of Surah Al-Ala in greater detail.

1. Praise and Exaltation of Allah: The surah begins with a declaration of the greatness and transcendence of Allah, the Most High. It emphasizes the unique attributes and qualities of the Creator. This opening sets the tone for the entire surah, highlighting the central theme of monotheism and the worship of the one true God.
2. Reflecting on Creation: Surah Al-Ala invites readers to contemplate the signs of Allah's creation. It mentions various aspects of the natural world, such as the Earth, mountains, and the provision of sustenance. This reflection on the universe encourages believers to recognize the divine wisdom behind creation and to be grateful for the bounties provided by Allah.
3. Warning for Disbelievers:  The surah then issues a warning to those who reject the message of Islam and persist in disbelief. It serves as a reminder of the consequences that await those who turn away from the truth and fail to acknowledge Allah's sovereignty.
4. Prophetic Example: Surah Al-Ala briefly mentions the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an exemplar of righteous conduct. His life serves as a model for all believers, emphasizing the importance of following the path of righteousness and obedience to Allah.
5. The Role of Prayer: The surah concludes by highlighting the significance of prayer (Salat) in the life of a believer. It underscores the importance of regular worship and submission to Allah. This serves as a reminder to the Muslim community of the essential role of prayer in their daily lives.

Surah Al-Ala holds several virtues and benefits for those who recite and reflect upon its verses:

1. Spiritual Elevation: Reciting Surah Al-Ala can lead to a profound sense of spiritual elevation and closeness to Allah. The surah's emphasis on the greatness of Allah and the reflection on His creation fosters a deep connection with the Divine.
2. Protection from Sin: Regular recitation of Surah Al-Ala can serve as a shield against sin and wrongdoing. It reminds believers of their accountability to Allah and encourages them to lead a life of righteousness.
3. Gratitude and Contentment: Contemplating the signs of Allah's creation mentioned in the surah can foster a sense of gratitude and contentment in one's heart. It reminds believers of the blessings they receive and encourages them to be thankful for them.
4. Reminder of the Prophet's Example: Surah Al-Ala serves as a reminder of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) exemplary life. By reflecting on his character and actions, believers can strive to emulate his behavior in their daily lives.
5. Strengthening of Faith: Reciting and pondering over the verses of Surah Al-Ala can strengthen one's faith and conviction in Islam. It reinforces the belief in the oneness of Allah and the importance of following His guidance.

Surah Al-Ala, despite its brevity, contains a wealth of spiritual and moral teachings. It calls believers to recognize the greatness of Allah, reflect on His creation, and live a life of faith and gratitude. This surah's virtues include spiritual elevation, protection from sin, and a strengthened connection to the Prophet's example. Regular recitation and reflection on Surah Al-Ala can profoundly impact a believer's life, drawing them closer to the path of righteousness and submission to the Most High, Allah.

If you want to listen to the recitation of Surah Al A'la, please watch the video below:

If you want to read Surah Al A'la, please read below:

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

 

Yusuf Ali:
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

Abul Ala Maududi:
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

Muhsin Khan:
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

Pickthall:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Dr. Ghali:
In The Name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful

Abdul Haleem:
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy!

Muhammad Junagarhi:
شروع کرتا ہوں اللہ تعالیٰ کے نام سے جو بڑا مہربان نہایت رحم واﻻ ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
अल्लाह के नाम से जो रहमान व रहीम है।

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dengan nama Allah, Yang Maha Pemurah, lagi Maha Mengasihani.

سَبِّحِ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡأَعۡلَى

1.     Sabbihisma Rabbikal A’laa

Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High,

 

Yusuf Ali:
Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High,

Abul Ala Maududi:
Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High,

Muhsin Khan:
Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High,

Pickthall:
Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High,

Dr. Ghali:
Extol The Name of your Lord, The Most Exalted,

Abdul Haleem:
[Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Most High,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اپنے بہت ہی بلند اللہ کے نام کی پاکیزگی بیان کر

Suhel Farooq Khan:
ऐ रसूल अपने आलीशान परवरदिगार के नाम की तस्बीह करो

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Bertasbihlah mensucikan nama Tuhanmu Yang Maha Tinggi (dari segala sifat-sifat kekurangan), –

ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ

2.     Allazee khalaqa fasawwaa
Who created and proportioned

 

Yusuf Ali:
Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion;

Abul Ala Maududi:
Who created all things and fashioned them in good proportion;

Muhsin Khan:
Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it;

Pickthall:
Who createth, then disposeth;

Dr. Ghali:
Who created; so He molded;

Abdul Haleem:
who created [all things] in due proportion;

Muhammad Junagarhi:
جس نے پیدا کیا اور صحیح سالم بنایا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
जिसने (हर चीज़ को) पैदा किया

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Yang telah menciptakan (sekalian makhlukNya) serta menyempurnakan kejadiannya dengan kelengkapan yang sesuai dengan keadaannya;

وَٱلَّذِي قَدَّرَ فَهَدَىٰ

3.     Wallazee qaddara fahadaa
And who destined and [then] guided

 

Yusuf Ali:
Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance;

Abul Ala Maududi:
Who determined and guided them,

Muhsin Khan:
And Who has measured (preordainments for each and everything even to be blessed or wretched); then guided (i.e. showed mankind the right as well as wrong paths, and guided the animals to pasture);

Pickthall:
Who measureth, then guideth;

Dr. Ghali:
And Who determined; so He guided;

Abdul Haleem:
who determined their destinies and guided them;

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور جس نے (ٹھیک ٹھاک) اندازه کیا اور پھر راه دکھائی

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और दुरूस्त किया और जिसने (उसका) अन्दाज़ा मुक़र्रर किया फिर राह बतायी

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan Yang telah mengatur (keadaan makhluk-makhlukNya) serta memberikan hidayah petunjuk (ke jalan keselamatannya dan kesempurnaannya);

وَٱلَّذِيٓ أَخۡرَجَ ٱلۡمَرۡعَىٰ

4.     Wallazeee akhrajal mar’aa
And who brings out the pasture

 

Yusuf Ali:
And Who bringeth out the (green and luscious) pasture,

Abul Ala Maududi:
Who brought forth the pasture,

Muhsin Khan:
And Who brings out the pasturage,

Pickthall:
Who bringeth forth the pasturage,

Dr. Ghali:
And Who brought out the pasturage,

Abdul Haleem:
who brought out the green pasture

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور جس نے تازه گھاس پیدا کی

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और जिसने (हैवानात के लिए) चारा उगाया

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan Yang telah mengeluarkan tumbuh-tumbuhan untuk binatang-binatang ternak,

فَجَعَلَهُۥ غُثَآءً أَحۡوَىٰ

5.     Faja’alahoo ghusaaa’an ahwaa
And [then] makes it black stubble.

 

Yusuf Ali:
And then doth make it (but) swarthy stubble.

Abul Ala Maududi:
and then made it into a blackish straw.

Muhsin Khan:
And then makes it dark stubble.

Pickthall:
Then turneth it to russet stubble.

Dr. Ghali:
Then He made it a dark (Or: stubble including all pasturage) stubble.

Abdul Haleem:
then made it dark debris.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
پھر اس نے اس کو (سکھا کر) سیاه کوڑا کر دیا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
फिर ख़ुश्क उसे सियाह रंग का कूड़ा कर दिया

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Kemudian Ia menjadikan (tumbuh-tumbuhan yang menghijau) itu kering – (berubah warnanya) kehitam-hitaman.

سَنُقۡرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنسَىٰٓ

6.     Sanuqri’uka falaa tansaaa
We will make you recite, [O Muhammad], and you will not forget,

 

Yusuf Ali:
By degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget,

Abul Ala Maududi:
We shall make you recite and then you will not forget,

Muhsin Khan:
We shall make you to recite (the Quran), so you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) shall not forget (it),

Pickthall:
We shall make thee read (O Muhammad) so that thou shalt not forget

Dr. Ghali:
We will soon make you read so you will not forget,

Abdul Haleem:
[Prophet], We shall teach you [the Quran] and you will not forget––

Muhammad Junagarhi:
ہم تجھے پڑھائیں گے پھر تو نہ بھولے گا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
हम तुम्हें (ऐसा) पढ़ा देंगे कि कभी भूलो ही नहीं

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Kami sentiasa menjadikan engkau (wahai Muhammad) dapat membaca (Al-Quran yang diturunkan kepadamu – dengan perantaraan jibril), sehingga engkau (menghafaznya dan) tidak lupa,

إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡجَهۡرَ وَمَا يَخۡفَىٰ

7.     Illaa maa shaaa’al laah; innahoo ya’lamul jahra wa maa yakhfaa
Except what Allah should will. Indeed, He knows what is declared and what is hidden.

 

Yusuf Ali:
Except as Allah wills: For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden.

Abul Ala Maududi:
except what Allah should wish. He knows all that is manifest and all that is hidden.

Muhsin Khan:
Except what Allah, may will, He knows what is apparent and what is hidden.

Pickthall:
Save that which Allah willeth. Lo! He knoweth the disclosed and that which still is hidden;

Dr. Ghali:
Excepting whatever Allah decides; surely He knows audible speech and what is concealed.

Abdul Haleem:
unless God wishes; He knows both what is open and what is hidden––

Muhammad Junagarhi:
مگر جو کچھ اللہ چاہے۔ وه ﻇاہر اور پوشیده کو جانتا ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
मगर जो ख़ुदा चाहे (मन्सूख़ कर दे) बेशक वह खुली बात को भी जानता है और छुपे हुए को भी

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Kecuali apa yang dikehendaki Allah engkau lupakan; sesungguhnya Ia mengetahui (segala keadaan yang patut berlaku), dan yang tersembunyi.

وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ

8.     Wa nu-yassiruka lilyusraa
And We will ease you toward ease.

 

Yusuf Ali:
And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path).

Abul Ala Maududi:
We shall ease you to follow the way of Ease.

Muhsin Khan:
And We shall make easy for you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) the easy way (i.e. the doing of righteous deeds).

Pickthall:
And We shall ease thy way unto the state of ease.

Dr. Ghali:
And We will ease you to the Easiest (way).

Abdul Haleem:
We shall show you the easy way.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
ہم آپ کے لئے آسانی پیدا کر دیں گے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और हम तुमको आसान तरीके की तौफ़ीक़ देंगे

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan Kami tetap memberi kemudahan kepadamu untuk (melaksanakan segala perkara) Ugama yang mudah diterima oleh akal yang sihat.

فَذَكِّرۡ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ

9.     Fazakkir in nafa’atizzikraa
So remind, if the reminder should benefit;

 

Yusuf Ali:
Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the hearer).

Abul Ala Maududi:
So render good counsel if good counsel will avail.

Muhsin Khan:
Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).

Pickthall:
Therefor remind (men), for of use is the reminder.

Dr. Ghali:
So remind, in case the Reminding profits.

Abdul Haleem:
So remind, if reminding will help.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
تو آپ نصیحت کرتے رہیں اگر نصیحت کچھ فائده دے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
तो जहाँ तक समझाना मुफ़ीद हो समझते रहो

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Oleh itu berilah peringatan (kepada umat manusia dengan ajaran Al-Quran), kalau-kalau peringatan itu berguna (dan sudah tentu berguna);

سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَن يَخۡشَىٰ

10.  Sa yazzakkaru maiyakhshaa
He who fears [Allah] will be reminded.

 

Yusuf Ali:
The admonition will be received by those who fear (Allah):

Abul Ala Maududi:
He who fears (Allah) shall heed it,

Muhsin Khan:
The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah),

Pickthall:
He will heed who feareth,

Dr. Ghali:
He who is apprehensive will constantly remember,

Abdul Haleem:
Those who stand in awe of God will heed the reminder,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
ڈرنے واﻻ تو نصیحت لے گا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
जो खौफ रखता हो वह तो फौरी समझ जाएगा

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Kerana orang yang takut (melanggar perintah Allah) akan menerima peringatan itu;

وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى

11.  Wa yatajannabuhal ashqaa
But the wretched one will avoid it –

 

Yusuf Ali:
But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones,

Abul Ala Maududi:
but the wretched will turn away from it.

Muhsin Khan:
But it will be avoided by the wretched,

Pickthall:
But the most hapless will flout it,

Dr. Ghali:
And the most wretched will avoid it,

Abdul Haleem:
but it will be ignored by the most wicked,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
(ہاں) بد بخت اس سے گریز کرے گا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और बदबख्त उससे पहलू तही करेगा

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan (sebaliknya) orang yang sangat celaka akan menjauhinya,

ٱلَّذِي يَصۡلَى ٱلنَّارَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ

12.  Allazee yaslan Naaral kubraa

[He] who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire,

 

Yusuf Ali:
Who will enter the Great Fire,

Abul Ala Maududi:
He will be cast into the Great Fire.

Muhsin Khan:
Who will enter the great Fire and made to taste its burning,

Pickthall:
He who will be flung to the great Fire

Dr. Ghali:
(He) who will roast in the Greatest Fire,

Abdul Haleem:
who will enter the Great Fire,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
جو بڑی آگ میں جائے گا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
जो (क़यामत में) बड़ी (तेज़) आग में दाख़िल होगा

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dia lah orang yang akan menderita bakaran neraka yang amat besar (azab seksanya),

ثُمَّ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحۡيَىٰ

13.  Summa laa yamootu feehaa wa laa yahyaa
Neither dying therein nor living.

 

Yusuf Ali:
In which they will then neither die nor live.

Abul Ala Maududi:
Then he will neither die in it, nor live.

Muhsin Khan:
Wherein he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).

Pickthall:
Wherein he will neither die nor live.

Dr. Ghali:
Thereafter he will neither die therein, nor live.

Abdul Haleem:
where they will neither die nor live.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
جہاں پھر نہ وه مرے گا نہ جیے گا، (بلکہ حالت نزع میں پڑا رہے گا)

Suhel Farooq Khan:
फिर न वहाँ मरेगा ही न जीयेगा

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Selain dari itu, ia tidak mati di dalamnya dan tidak pula hidup senang.

قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ

14.  Qad aflaha man tazakkaa

He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself

 

Yusuf Ali:
But those will prosper who purify themselves,

Abul Ala Maududi:
He who purified himself shall prosper,

Muhsin Khan:
Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success,

Pickthall:
He is successful who groweth,

Dr. Ghali:
He has already prospered who has cleansed himself.

Abdul Haleem:
Prosperous are those who purify themselves,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
بیشک اس نے فلاح پالی جو پاک ہوگیا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
वह यक़ीनन मुराद दिली को पहुँचा जो (शिर्क से) पाक हो

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Sesungguhnya berjayalah orang yang – setelah menerima peringatan itu – berusaha membersihkan dirinya (dengan taat dan amal yang soleh),

وَذَكَرَ ٱسۡمَ رَبِّهِۦ فَصَلَّىٰ

15.  Wa zakaras ma Rabbihee fasallaa
And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.

 

Yusuf Ali:
And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer.

Abul Ala Maududi:
remembering his Lord’s name and praying.

Muhsin Khan:
And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allah), and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil additional prayers).

Pickthall:
And remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth,

Dr. Ghali:
And who remembers the Name of his Lord, so he prays.

Abdul Haleem:
remember the name of their Lord, and pray.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور جس نے اپنے رب کا نام یاد رکھا اور نماز پڑھتا رہا

Suhel Farooq Khan:
और अपने परवरदिगार का ज़िक्र करता और नमाज़ पढ़ता रहा

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Dan menyebut-nyebut dengan lidah dan hatinya akan nama Tuhannya serta mangerjakan sembahyang (dengan khusyuk).

بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا

16.  Bal tu’siroonal hayaatad dunyaa

But you prefer the worldly life,

 

Yusuf Ali:
Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world;

Abul Ala Maududi:
No; but you prefer the present life,

Muhsin Khan:
Nay, you prefer the life of this world;

Pickthall:
But ye prefer the life of the world

Dr. Ghali:
No indeed, (but) you prefer the present life, (Literally: the lowly life, i.e., the life of this world).

Abdul Haleem:
Yet you [people] prefer the life of this world,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
لیکن تم تو دنیا کی زندگی کو ترجیح دیتے ہو

Suhel Farooq Khan:
मगर तुम लोग दुनियावी ज़िन्दगी को तरजीह देते हो

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
(Tetapi kebanyakkan kamu tidak melakukan yang demikian), bahkan kamu utamakan kehidupan dunia;

وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ

17.  Wal Aakhiratu khairunw wa abqaa

While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.

 

Yusuf Ali:
But the Hereafter is better and more enduring.

Abul Ala Maududi:
whereas the Hereafter is better and more enduring.

Muhsin Khan:
Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

Pickthall:
Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

Dr. Ghali:
And the Hereafter is more charitable (i.e., better) and more enduring.

Abdul Haleem:
even though the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

Muhammad Junagarhi:
اور آخرت بہت بہتر اور بہت بقا والی ہے

Suhel Farooq Khan:
हालॉकि आख़ोरत कहीं बेहतर और देर पा है

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Padahal kehidupan akhirat lebih baik dan lebih kekal.

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَفِي ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ

18.  Inna haazaa lafis suhu fil oolaa
Indeed, this is in the former scriptures,

 

Yusuf Ali:
And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),-

Abul Ala Maududi:
This, indeed, was in the ancient Scrolls,

Muhsin Khan:
Verily! This is in the former Scriptures,

Pickthall:
Lo! This is in the former scrolls.

Dr. Ghali:
Surely this is in the earliest Scrolls,

Abdul Haleem:
All this is in the earlier scriptures,

Muhammad Junagarhi:
یہ باتیں پہلی کتابوں میں بھی ہیں

Suhel Farooq Khan:
बेशक यही बात अगले सहीफ़ों

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:
Sesungguhnya (keterangan-keterangan yang dinyatakan) ini ada (disebutkan) di dalam Kitab-kitab yang terdahulu, –

صُحُفِ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ

19.  Suhufi Ibraaheema wa Moosaa
The scriptures of Abraham and Moses.