Definition
Surah Al-A'raf is the seventh surah of the Quran, a Makki surah with 24 ruku (sections) and 206 verses. It opens with the disjointed letters "Alif-Lam-Meem-Sad", instructing people to follow the Book and take no protector besides Allah.
Its central theme is belief in the Hereafter and Prophethood (Risalah).
Definition
The surah narrates the creation of Prophet Adam (AS), the angels' prostration before him, and Iblis's arrogance and refusal to prostrate. Iblis vowed to mislead Adam and his descendants, and deceived them into eating from the forbidden tree, after which Adam and Hawwa (Eve) were sent down from Paradise to the earth. Bani Adam are then instructed to wear good clothing, eat lawful and pure provision, avoid extravagance, and beware of Satan's whisperings and indecency.
- Prophet Nooh (AS): rejected by his people, who were destroyed by the flood.
- Prophet Hud (AS): sent to the people of 'Aad.
- Prophet Saleh (AS): sent to the people of Thamud, with the miracle of the she-camel.
- Prophet Lut (AS): sent to his immoral people.
- Prophet Shu'aib (AS): sent to the people of Madyan.
- Each of these nations denied their prophet and grew arrogant, and so each was destroyed by divine punishment.
Definition
The surah gives a detailed account of Musa (AS) and Pharaoh: the miracles of the staff and the shining hand, the contest with Pharaoh's magicians and their embracing faith, various plagues sent upon Pharaoh's people, the splitting of the sea, and Pharaoh's drowning.
It then narrates the Israelites' worship of the calf, Musa's (AS) forty nights of fasting, the revelation of the Tablets (Torah), his wish to see Allah, and the mountain crumbling to dust.
Definition
The surah recounts the covenant taken from the descendants of Adam in the realm of souls ("Am I not your Lord?" — Alast), and gives the example of a person who strayed despite being given Allah's signs (likened to a dog).
Al-A'raf is an elevated place (a barrier/heights) between Paradise and Hell. On it will stand those whose good and bad deeds are equal; they will recognise both the people of Paradise and Hell by their faces, and though not yet admitted into Paradise, they will hope to enter it.
Definition
The Prophet ﷺ is described as the unlettered (Ummi) Prophet, already foretold and written about in the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins good and forbids evil, makes pure things lawful and impure things unlawful, and relieves people of their burdens and shackles. He is declared a Messenger for all the worlds, and the "light" (Noor) mentioned in the surah refers to the Holy Quran.
Rule
Al-A'raf 47 (prayer for protection from wrongdoing) — رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ — Translation: Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.
Al-A'raf 89 (prayer for victory and a true judgment) — رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِيْنَ — Translation: Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who decide.
Al-A'raf 126 (prayer for steadfastness and submission) — رَبَّنَآ اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَّتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِيْنَ — Translation: Our Lord, pour upon us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.
Al-A'raf 151 (prayer for forgiveness and mercy) — رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَلِاَخِيْ وَاَدْخِلْنَا فِيْ رَحْمَتِكَ ۖ وَاَنْتَ اَرْحَمُ الرّٰحِمِيْنَ — Translation: My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful.
Al-A'raf 157–158 (qualities of the Prophet ﷺ): those who follow the unlettered Prophet foretold in the Torah and Gospel, who enjoins good and forbids evil, are the successful ones; and the Prophet ﷺ is sent as Allah's Messenger to all mankind, calling them to believe and follow him for guidance.
Hadith prayer against Satan's temptation (Sunan An-Nasa'i 1122): O Allah, place light in my heart, and light in my hearing, and light in my sight, and light beneath me, above me, on my right, on my left, in front of me and behind me, and make the light supreme for me.
Remember
When the Holy Quran is recited, one should listen attentively and with full concentration, and remain silent during the recitation so that Allah's mercy may be attained. In a state of anger, one is advised to recite Ta'awwuz (seeking refuge in Allah from Satan).
Quick Recap
- ●Surah Al-A'raf: 7th surah, Makki, 24 ruku, 206 verses; central theme — belief in the Hereafter and Prophethood
- ●Adam (AS) and Iblis: Iblis's refusal to prostrate, the forbidden tree, descent to earth
- ●Prophets and their nations: Nooh, Hud ('Aad), Saleh (Thamud), Lut, Shu'aib (Madyan) — all destroyed after rejecting their prophets
- ●Musa (AS) and Pharaoh: staff/shining hand miracles, magicians' faith, plagues, sea splitting, calf worship, Torah's revelation
- ●A'raf: an elevated place between Paradise and Hell; the covenant of Alast ("Am I not your Lord?")
- ●Prophet ﷺ: unlettered, foretold in Torah/Gospel, enjoins good/forbids evil, "light" = the Quran
- ●Key duas: Al-A'raf 47, 89, 126, 151, and the hadith prayer for light against Satan's temptation (An-Nasa'i 1122)
