Surah al-A‘raf (The Heights)

“Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad. (1)

“This is a Book revealed to you, so let there be no distress in your heart because of it, so that you may warn by it, and as a reminder for the believers. (2)

“Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow protectors besides Him. Little do you take heed. (3)

“How many a town We destroyed! Then Our punishment came upon it by night, or while its people were resting at midday. (4)”

Surah al-A‘raf is entirely Meccan, except for five verses, the first of which is: “Ask them about the town that was…” 128/a

“Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad.”

“This is a Book”: that is, this is a Book. “Revealed to you”: namely, the Quran. “So let there be no distress in your heart because of it.” Mujahid said: “No doubt.” Although the address is directed to the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, what is intended is the community. Abu al-‘Aliyah said: haraj means constriction; that is, let your heart not be constrained by conveying and fulfilling that with which you were sent. “So that you may warn by it”: that is, a Book has been revealed to you so that you may warn by it. “And as a reminder for the believers”: that is, an admonition for them. It is in the nominative case, coordinated with “Book.”

“Follow”: that is, say to them, “Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow protectors besides Him.” That is, do not take others as protectors, obeying them in disobedience to Allah, exalted is He. “Little do you take heed”: that is, take admonition. Ibn ‘Amir recited yatadhakkaruna (“they take heed”), with yā’ and tā’.

“And how many a town We destroyed”: by punishment. Kam indicates abundance, whereas rubba indicates smallness. “Then Our punishment came upon it”