(206 verses in total; Revealed in Makkah)
THIS CHAPTER (SURAH) GETS its name from its mention of people who will be at an elevated place on the Day of Judgment, when they will be able to see people in Heaven and in Hell and fully recognize their own predicament, as they are not sure which way they will land as Judgment Day continues. These people will engage in conversation with those who are in Heaven to wish them peace and congratulate them on their success and to aspire their own future with them. They will also engage with people who are in Hell to question them on their claims during their lifetime that made them arrogant, overconfident in their future, and unwilling to accept the concept of faith and goodness as being the core set of values that defines ultimate success of a human being.
The notion of elevation also implies a higher level of intellectual and spiritual capability to discern and discriminate between good and evil and a resultant aspiration and strive to align oneself with what is good and wholesome. This surah in a way is a manifestation of this constant yearning of a human soul for alignment with its true nature, the nature of God, and the natural world that we are part of. Starting with the opening statement to embrace God’s guidance by reflecting on our ancestors—Adam and Eve and their experience with Devil—brings in a sense of devotion to God and a sense of responsibility in our personal and collective consciousness and interactions, avoiding all forms of indecencies and injustice, establishing rule of law and personal tranquility, striving for truth and justice, and so on.
This surah provides stories of a number of biblical prophets in a sequential manner, in a way that would assure the Prophet Mohammad and his followers that they are being given the same universal message of Oneness of God and goodness of humanity that they needed to establish, preserve, and propagate among the people of the world. The story of Moses takes a special place and receives emphasis in this surah with the recognition of the followers of Moses as people who were the recipients of special attention from God and were made an example of how caring God is for His creation, despite our repeated failures and unwillingness to conform to God’s vision. Below is a list of key concepts that show the breadth and depth of guidance, encouragement, cautions, and discernments God wishes us to consider during our life on this planet and our journey back to Him. These key concepts are then elaborated at the end of the chapter.
List of key concepts:
1. Embracing guidance with open arms (1–3)
2. All will be questioned, even the prophets (6–9)
3. Earth is a source of provision and a proving ground (10, 24–25, 27, 34)
4. The Devil’s plan against human beings is all inclusive (11–27)
5. Adam and Eve’s first repentance (23)
6. Sense of responsibility for life (Taqwa) as protection against evil (26, 35)
7. Genuine worship and devotion to God (29, 31–32, 204–206)
8. All forms of indecency are forbidden (33, 28)
9. Salvation is through faith in God and humility (40–44, 55–56)
10. The final sequel to the Qur’an (52–53)
11. God, the Creator Supreme and Provider (54–58)
12. The rule of law and tranquility (56)
13. Nature as a constant reminder (57–58)
14. The prophets as guides—Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, and Shu’aib (59–93)
15. God’s challenge and warning to people (94–99)
16. Human failure to maintain God’s covenant (100–102)
17. Lessons from Moses (103–129, 148–156)
18. The Prophet Mohammad as a guide (157–158)
19. Moses’s followers recognized (159)
20. Human failings and successes (168–170)
21. God reveals to us all (172–174)
22. The inability to use God-given endowments (179–180)
23. Seeking truth and doing justice (181, 159)
24. Our tendency to associate others with God (189–191)
25. Simple guidance of forgiveness, goodness, and knowledge (199)