Surah Al-Ala – Ahmed Aissa El Masarawi

Al-Ala (Al-A'la, "The Most High") is the 87th surah of the Quran, in Juz' Amma. Meccan, it has 19 verses and is the 8th surah in the traditional order of revelation, after At-Takwir, which places it among the very first revelations. It takes its name from its opening command: "Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High" (87:1).

It praises the Creator who proportions, measures out and guides, and who brings forth pasture only to turn it into dark stubble (87:2-5). The Prophet ﷺ is promised that he will be made to recite and will not forget, except what God wills (87:6-7), and is told to remind: whoever fears God will take heed, while the most wretched will turn away. Success belongs to the one who purifies himself, remembers his Lord and prays; yet people prefer this world, though "the Hereafter is better and more lasting" (87:17), a truth already found in the scrolls of Abraham and Moses.

The Prophet ﷺ recited it with Al-Ghashiya at the two Eids and at Friday prayer (Muslim), and with Al-Kafiroon and Al-Ikhlas in the Witr prayer (Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i, sahih).