Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This grand Makkan surah overturns the Arabs’ false belief in many gods with a sweeping history of the covenant between God and humanity. It traces the origin of Satan's enmity and his schemes by which he deceives mankind, the long struggle of Messengers (especially Moses) against rebellious nations, and the ultimate fate of souls, including the unique inhabitants of "al-Aʿrāf" (The Heights). It calls Quraysh to abandon their idols, follow the Book sent to Muḥammad (ﷺ), and live by justice, piety, and dignified worship, while painting vivid scenes of the Resurrection and the weighing of deeds.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Late Makkan. Some scholars hold that verses 163-172 were revealed later in Madinah.

Context: Its themes and style mark it as a major Makkan address to the pagan Arabs. It is one of the "Seven Long surahs”, and it is unlikely any of these were revealed early in the Makkan period.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: "Sūrat al-Aʿrāf" (The Heights). It is the only surah that mentions this word and these people [46].

Honorific Title: It was famously described by the Prophet (ﷺ) as "the longer of the two long ones" (aṭwal al-ṭūlayayn), the other being al-Anʿām (Q 6).

Other Names: It has also been described as “Sūrat Alif‑Lām‑Mīm‑Ṣād” (after its opening letters), “Sūrat al‑Mīqāt” (for the appointment of Moses in ayah 143), and “Sūrat al‑Mīthāq” (for the primordial covenant in ayah 172). 

Ayah Count: 206 (Madīnah/Kūfah) or 205 (Shām/Baṣrah).

Surah Overview:

• Praising the Quran and its purpose. [1-2]
• Prohibiting partners with Allah, and warning polytheists of the consequences of polytheism (in this life and the next). [3-9]
• Reminding humanity of Allah’s favour in settling them on earth and providing livelihoods. [10]
• Reminding of the creation of Adam and the origin of Shaytan's deep-rooted enmity. [11-25]
• Warning against Shaytan's deceptions and commanding sincere worship and justice. [26-36]
• Describing the Day of Judgment and the fates of the wicked and pious (including the People of the Heights). [37-51]
• Affirming the Quran as a detailed Book whose true outcome will be seen on the Day of Resurrection. [52-53]
• Magnifying Allah’s Lordship over creation, calling on Him with humility between fear and hope, forbidding corruption on earth, and pointing to winds, rain, and reviving the dead earth as signs and as proof of the Resurrection. [54-58]
• Detailed accounts of the Messengers and their struggles (Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shuʿayb). [59-102]
• The extensive story of Moses with Pharaoh and Israelites. [103-171]
• Within the story of Moses, glad tidings of the sending of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), a description of his nation, and the excellence of his religion. [157]
• Reminding of the primordial Covenant that God placed in the intrinsic nature (fiṭrah) of humans. [172-174]
• The example of the man who went astray after being given God’s ayahs. [175–178]
• Describing the state of the misguided, their denial of the Messenger, and affirming that to Allah alone belong the Most Beautiful Names. [179–187]
• Exposing the powerlessness of the idols. [191-198]
• Commanding the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Muslims to be patient, continue the call to God, and seek refuge from the devil through remembrance. [199-206]