Surah Al-A'raf (الْأَعْرَاف) is the 7th chapter (surah) of the blessed Quran. Al-A'raf means the elevated place. Since the surah was revealed in Makkah before the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) migrated to Madinah, it is a Makki surah. It has a total of 206 ayaat (verses) and is spread into 2 juz/paraas and 24 ruku (Ayaah 10, 25, 31, 39, 47, 53, 58, 64, 72, 84, 93, 99, 108, 126, 129, 141, 147, 151, 157, 162, 171, 181, 188, 206). This surah starts with Huroof-e-Muqattat, the disjointed letters: Alif, Lam, Mim, and Sad.
Surah Al-A'raf was revealed to show the Muslims how it was Allah who created Prophet Adam and his wife Hawwa (Eve) and how Shaytaan strayed them away from Allah's instructions. It serves as a warning to the disbelievers who disobey Allah and reminds the believers about the final day of judgment along with the fact that the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is the last messenger for all of mankind. The surah is named Al-A'raf after the place between the heaven and hell.
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The surah was revealed as an invitation to the divine message that was sent down to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). After the Prophet had spent 13 years guiding the disbelievers in Makkah towards the righteous path of Islam, he observed no effect on them because they were antagonistic and engulfed in the path of evil. This was when Surah Al-A'raf was revealed to warn them to accept the Holy Prophet's (ﷺ) message of Islam, and a firm warning was given to them about what consequences they would be met with if they continued down the path of evil without listening to the Holy Prophet's (ﷺ) message.
Since the surah was revealed when the Prophet was about to receive Allah's command to migrate to Madinah, the last portion of the surah addresses the people of the book who the Prophet (ﷺ) was going to address and guide once he was in Madinah. The hypocritical behavior of the Jews is also addressed by discussing how even though they claimed to follow the teachings of Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, their actions clearly opposed his teachings by worshipping falsehoods.
The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions are also instructed to remain patient and not give in to the disbelievers' provocations. The believers were also going through a challenging time when the surah was revealed due to the attitude of the disbelievers. Through Al-A'raf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) also instructed them to be cautious and not indulge in any action that may harm their noble cause of Islam.
Reciting the blessed Quran is bound to bring a believer unlimited blessings and Allah's mercy. Here are some of the benefits you can get from reciting Surah Al-Araf:
"Those who believe and find peace in their hearts from the contemplation of God: Surely there is peace of heart in the contemplation of God!" (13:28)
Abu Hurrairah had reported the Prophet (ﷺ) to have said:
"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." – Riyad-as-Salihin 991
"Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then settled on the Throne. He draws the night's cover over the day, which pursues it swiftly, and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, [all of them] disposed of by His command. Look! All creation and command belong to Him. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of all the worlds."
If you struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or regret due to any wrongdoings or sins you may have committed, reciting the Quran can help relieve your feelings and help gain Allah's forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is the most merciful.
"Surely those who read the Book of God, are firm in devotion, and spend of what We have given them in secret or openly, can hope for a commerce that will not decline" – (35:29)