Introduction of Surah ‘A’-raaf

Lesson # 823 from the Noble Quran

Introduction of Surah ‘A’-raaf

Surah ‘A’-‘RAAF (The Heights) – Chapter – 7)–Stage - 2  

Verses – 206, Sections – 24 (Part ½ of - 8)   

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim    

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

                                                                                                                          

Lesson

This is seventh Surah in the Surahs (Chapters) of Holy Qur’aan. The time of Its revelation is the same and adjacent with Suratul – ‘An-‘aam i.e. revealed at Makkah, before the Departure (Hijrah) of Allah’s last Messenger, Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him).

‘Al- ‘A’-raaf means “the Heights”. This word is plural of ‘Arafa, which is used for “the higher place” as any dune, hill or mountain etc. The word ‘Al- ‘A’-raaf has been mentioned in this Chapter. The Commentators of Holy Qur’an has described that these are some lofty dunes and small hills, which are situated between the Paradise and the Hell, and those people who stand upon them, see clearly the Gardens in one side and the Hell on the other direction. This is the place where those people will be caused to stay, whose Goodness and sins will be equal in Grand Total on the Day of Resurrection. They will look those good people who will be entering into the Paradise as well as those evil doers, who will be entering into the Hell. At that time, when the Heavenly people would have been entered in the Heavens and the Hellish into the Hell, then the decision regarding them (who would be staying on the Heights) will be finalized and Allah Almighty will make room for them in the Paradise with His Mercy.

In the Chapter before this i.e. ‘Al-‘An-‘aam, there was recitation of the Oneness of God Almighty and it was explained that the Creator of the entire world and creatures is Allah Almighty. Therefore, you should believe in Him and admit His highest rank and Holder of excellent position from entire things of the world, and obey His Commands. The people have reached this consequence by thinking in the great stuff (all kinds of creatures) deeply. Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) was ahead from all of them. After that, those entire Messengers and Prophets (peace be upon Them), who were born - out of His children and relations, were convinced of the Unity of God Almighty and true followers of the Commands of Allah Almighty.

In this Chapter, those unfortunate living beings have been mentioned, who tried their best to prevent the people from the Path of Allah Almighty. In front from all of them is their chief ‘Ibliis (Satan), who undertook responsibility of Allah’s disobedience and gripped up His loins to divert the human being from Allah Almighty at every cost. And this incident was happened at the occasion of the birth of Adam (peace be upon Him).

Then about those things, it has been described, which helped the Devil to seduce the mankind. After that, the humankind (Adam and Eve – peace be upon Them) were sent down on the earth along with their enemies. And it was managed that the Messengers and Prophets (peace be upon Them) along with His Scriptures and Messages would come to show the Straight Path of Allah Almighty, by means of which, those people will get guidance, who are fortunate. But whom, the Devil and His disciples will succeed to seduce, they will be deprived.

Afterwards, events of some debut nations have been described, who adopted the devilish way. The Messengers (peace be upon Them) were sent unto them, but they disobeyed Them. At last, they were ruined for saving others from their imitation and impression. Moreover, the Devil allured other people too from the Straight Path by causing to understand them new matters and they were destroyed also.

Then it is mentioned that the Messenger Moses (peace be upon Him) was sent in order to extricate the Children of Israel from Pharaoh and his nation. He (peace be upon Him) disentangled them from Egypt and brought into the Holy Land to colonize. But they did not obey the Sayings of Prophet Moses (peace be upon Him) and His Caliphs properly, and suffered different kinds of calamities and agony, which was result of their evil days.

At last this chain of Guidance ended on the last Messenger Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him). After His mention, this Chapter ends at “the Verse of Prostration”.    

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)