SURAH AL A'ALA
(The over powering)
1. Glorify the name of your Greatest Sustainer.
2. One who created (all things) and shaped them proportionately.
3. And who determined and guided his creatures.
4. Who grew the pastures.
5. Then He turned them in to thick greenish straws.
6. We shall make you read, so that you do not forget (what you have been taught).
7. Except what Allah wants you to forget, because He knows surely what is loud and what is concealed (silent).
8. We shall show you easy ways and means to facilitate (everything)in your life.
9. So, you continue to remind if you think that the reminding will be beneficial to the listener.
10.One who fears shall be reminded.
11. While the most unfortunate shall avoid it.
12. Who shall be burnt in the great fire.
13. Wherein he shall not die nor be alive.
14. (Remember) one who cleans himself, shall be successful.
15. And when he remembers his Sustainer's name, he bows down in prayer.
16. Nay. In fact you prefer worldly life (over life hereafter).
17. While the life hereafter is better and long lasting.
18. Surely, this is mentioned in the previous books.
19. Books of Abraham and Moses.
Summary:
The beginning and the end of this Surah is radically different from the previous Surah, where all the emphasis was on the beginning of the Day of Judgment and the Judgment pronounced on that Day. Here the style is convincing based on the facts which could be seen and touched. Then the question of accountability is raised and the outcome of the two diametrically opposite behaviors of life. In winding up it is stated that man's intention to follow his desires makes them prefer worldly life over the life hereafter. While the call of the Qur'an is not altogether new to man. It's an ancient call revealed and stated in the Books of Abraham and Moses (peace be upon them). Both trends are old and their callers and followers are also old. So choose wisely which way you take?