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Sūrat al-Aʿlā (Part 2)
Final part of observations on the structure and organization of Sūrat al-Aʿlā
See last week’s post for the overall structure of this sūrah. This week will be on the micro-structures within.
For reference, this is how Sūrat al-Aʿlā (The Highest) was shown to be structured overall.
Furthermore, each section can be broken down into individual structures.1 Section [A] appears to be a mirror structure.
CONNECTIONS
[A1]/[A1’] – The One who created and proportioned us is equally capable of creating the food we eat. But if we take the latter part more metaphorically, then the life and death of the pasture is a sign for us to reflect on our own mortality. Allah ﷻ only mentions our creation in the first part, so our death is referenced in the end of this section.
[A2]/[A2’] – Our decree is intimately tied to our guidance. Allah ﷻ guides whom He wills, though as we learn elsewhere in the Quran, Allah ﷻ also guides whomsoever wants to be guided.
Section [B] is also possibly set up in a simple mirror structure.
CONNECTIONS
[B1]/[B1’] – The Messenger ﷺ was worried that he would forget the revelation coming to him, especially because it was not being recorded in writing in the very early years of the mission. Allah ﷻ makes sure to tell him that he will not forget any portion of it. Allah ﷻ will make it “ease” for the Messenger ﷺ.
[B2]/[B2’] – Simple contrast between the apparent and hidden.
Section [A’] has also been shown to demonstrate its own ring structure.
CONNECTIONS
[A3]/[A3’] – The Messenger ﷺ is commanded to remind his people. A reminder implies that they have heard this message before, which is why the sūrah ends with a reference to the revelations of Abraham and Moses, the two prophets whom all People of the Book can agree to draw guidance and inspiration from.
[A4]/[A4’] – We are told that the “God-fearing will take heed,” but it is the connection section which details whom the God-fearing are; pure of heart and one who recalls the name of his Master and prays.
[A5] – The center of this mini-section describes the ones who did not benefit from the reminder, which means they were not God-fearing. These people are “unfortunate,” “will burn in the Great fire” and will taste neither life nor death for eternity.
And Allah ﷻ knows best.
The structures for Sections [A] and [B] are my own. Section [A’] comes from the original paper referenced last week.
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