God Knows What Is Manifest, What Is Hidden
This is according to Surah Al-A’la, which is the 87th chapter of the Quran. It has 19 verses and is in the 30th Juz.
It is Makki and the 8th chapter revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The word Al-A’la, which is one of God’s attributes and means the Most High, comes in the first verse and hence the name of the Surah.
The main subject of the Surah is monotheism and an emphasis of the status of the Most High. It is also about God’s promises about the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The first verses urge the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to glorify the name of the Lord and then name seven attributes of God.
These attributes, mentioned in the first five verses are: “Al-A’la” (the Most High), “One Who Created”, “One who gave order and proportion”, “One who ordained laws”, “One who granted guidance”, “One who caused the grass to grow”, and “One who caused it to wither away”.
The Surah gives the Holy Prophet (PBUH) the good news that “We shall teach you (the Quran) and you will not forget it.” (Verse 6)
It divides people into two groups in terms of their reaction to the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) call.
It talks about believers who have fear of God, disbelievers who are the most unfortunate ones, and the reasons why the first group will benefit and the second will be ill-fated.
In Verse 7 of Surah Al-A’la, it is emphasized that both what is public and what is hidden are the same before God: “Except what Allah pleases, surely He knows the manifest, and what is hidden.” This verse proves God’s omniscience and infinite knowledge.
