Surah 7: The Heights

Surah 7: The Heights - Overview

Verses	Description
7:1-31	Revelation should ease difficulties of heart and mind: arrogance and excess at the root of evil
7:32-58	God has forbidden evil: all good is for man's enjoyment: Righteous to live in peace and fulfillment of all Hope
7:59-99	Noah, Hud, Salih, Lut (Lot), and Shu'ayb: how their wholesome warning was rejected, to the detriment of the rejecters
7:100-157	Moses had to fight alien arrogance as well as rebellion among his own people, like the final Messenger whom he prefigured
7:158-171	The Messenger's Revelation superceded the older Law
7:172-206	The inborn good in man is strengthened by constant reminders from God; if sin has a respite, it is only for a term; Judgment must come; so draw near to God, in humility and reverence

Introduction

This Surah is closely connected, both chronologically and in respect of the argument, with the previous Surah. But it expounds the doctrine of revelation and man's spiritual history by illustrations from Adam onwards, through various Prophets, and the details of Moses' struggles, to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, in whom God's revelation is completed.

Summary

1- The note, "learn from the past," is struck from the very beginning. The opposition of Evil to Good is illustrated by the story of Adam and Iblis. Arrogance leads to rebellion; the rebel is jealous and tempts the natural man, who is warned against deceit and all excess. (7:1-31)

Easing Difficulties of Heart & Mind [7:1-31] Revelation should ease the difficulties of heart and mind, for it tells the story of man's spiritual past, and teaches the end of good and evil. Iblis fell from jealousy and arrogance, and Adam fell because he listened to his deceit. But God did grant in His Mercy gifts and guidance to men, warned them against excess, and taught them moderation and justice.

2- If the warning is not heeded, the future penalties are indicated, while the privileges and the bliss and peace of the righteous are shown in a picture of the Hereafter, as well as in the power and goodness of God in the world that we see around us. (7:32-58)

Dwelling in Peace [7:32-58] God has forbidden the things that are evil, not those that are good, for these were created for man's enjoyment. The transgressors are those who reject God's Signs. They will have no share in the Bliss of the Hereafter. But the righteous will dwell in Peace, and the Hope that was promised will be theirs.

Pride and Injustice [7:59-99] Noah's warning was rejected by his generation, and they were destroyed in the Flood. Hud was defied by his own people 'Ad, but they were swept away by a terrible blast. Their successors, the Thamud, were puffed up with pride and injustice, but behold! An earthquake buried them for their sins after Salih had warned them from God. With a rain of brimstone and fire were overwhelmed the Cities of the Plain for their unexampled lusts, against which Lot did warn them. The people of Midian were given to mischief and fraud: Shu'ayb did warn them, but they heeded not, and perished in an earthquake. God's punishment is sure for wickedness and sin.

Struggling with Arrogance [7:100-157] While the story of the prophets who preached in vain to their people prefigures the struggles in the early careers of all Prophets, the story of Moses -- his struggles, with an alien and arrogant people, his final deliverance of his people from foreign domination, and his leading them within sight of the Promised Land, in spite of the forces that resisted -- prefigures the early struggles and eventual triumph of Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of God.

5- But the people of Moses frequently lapsed from God's Law as promulgated to them, and transgressed God's Covenant, and they were scattered through the earth in sections. (7:158-171)

Light and Guidance [7:158-171] With the advent of the Holy Prophet, the light and guidance which he brought for all mankind from God superceded the earlier Law for the Jews. The good and the upright among them followed the new Light, but the rest were scattered through the earth.

6- The children of Adam have multiplied, but many of them have rejected truth and go by degrees to destruction in ways that they do not realize. The righteous listen to the Message of God, and serve Him in humility. (7:172-206)

A Constant Reminder [7:172-206] Mankind have the nature of good created within them; yet doth God by His Signs keep up a constant Reminder to men of His Holy Names. Those who err scarce realize how gradually they fall into sin. Their respite has a term; the doom must come, and it my be on a sudden. So humbly draw nigh to the Lord, declare His glory, and rejoice in His service.