سَبِّحِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ ٱلْأَعْلَى 1
Translations
Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High,
Transliteration
Sabbih isma rabbika al-a'la
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening command urges the believer to glorify and exalt the name of Allah, the Most High. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'tasbih' (glorification) encompasses praising Allah, declaring Him free from all imperfections and unworthy attributes, recognizing His supreme majesty and incomparable greatness. This ayah sets the tone for the entire surah, emphasizing that all creation exists to worship and magnify the Lord Most High.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-A'la is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period. This opening ayah establishes the primary theme of the surah: the glorification of Allah's perfect attributes and His transcendence. The surah follows the pattern of addressing believers with direct commands to remember Allah's signs and majesty, which was particularly important for the early Muslim community facing persecution in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is 'Subhan'Allah wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him)' - reported in Sahih Muslim. Additionally, the Prophet recommended reciting Surah Al-A'la in night prayers, as mentioned in various hadith collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the foundation of faith is recognizing and glorifying Allah's transcendence and majesty; in our daily lives, we should consciously acknowledge Allah's greatness through remembrance, as this glorification purifies the heart and aligns our souls with divine truth.