Surah Al-A'la 87:9
سُورَةُ الأَعۡلَىٰ · Meccan · Verse 9 of 19
فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ
Translation
So remind, if reminding will help.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Worldly Mirror
The verse, "فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ" (So remind, if the reminder benefits), is a direct instruction from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It tells the Prophet to advise his people, guide them to what is good, and focus his efforts on those who are likely to benefit, without exhausting himself on those who only grow more rebellious. This guidance, however, extends far beyond the Prophet, mirroring profound lessons for us in our personal, relational, and communal lives.
The Inner Gaze
At its core, this verse invites us to reflect on the nature of "reminding" (تذكير, *tadzkir*). Al-Munir explains *tadzkir* as awakening someone to a truth they once knew but might have forgotten, or a truth that resides within their very being. For us, this means that the Quran's reminders are often not entirely new information, but echoes of what our souls intuitively recognize. The effectiveness of a reminder, therefore, often depends on our internal state. The verse implies that the truly receptive heart is one that possesses *khashyah*, a deep awe and fear of Allah. If our hearts are soft and attuned, the reminder will land. If we find ourselves resistant or dismissive, it's a call to examine our own inner landscape: Are we cultivating humility and openness, or are we allowing arrogance and heedlessness to build walls?
Guidance in Relationships
The phrase "if the reminder benefits" (إن نفعت الذكرى) might seem to suggest that we should only advise when we see immediate positive results. However, scholarly insights clarify that this isn't a condition to cease giving reminders, but rather an observation about who will genuinely benefit. As al-Munir notes, the reminder is always required, for it will always benefit *someone*, even if not everyone. Israr Ahmad emphasizes that the next verses clarify *who* benefits (those who fear Allah) and who rejects it (the most wretched).
This offers a crucial lesson for our relational interactions. When we try to advise or guide others, the verse encourages us to do so with discernment and wisdom. We are to deliver the message sincerely, embodying the ease and gentleness (يُسرَى, *yusra*) that Sayyid Qutb describes as characteristic of the Prophet's demeanor and the Islamic way of life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) chose the easier path and treated people with kindness, even those who were harsh. Our role is to convey the truth with patience and good character, understanding that the ultimate outcome of guidance lies with Allah. We are not to despair if our efforts don't yield immediate results, for the impact of a sincere reminder can be profound, even if it only plants a seed that blossoms later.
A Universal Message
On a broader, communal level, this verse underscores the continuous responsibility of calling to good (da'wah). Despite apparent initial difficulties or widespread rejection, as Tazkirul Quran points out, initial hardship (عسر, *usr*) can become a stepping stone to ease (يُسر, *yusr*) through perseverance. The instruction to remind is a perpetual one for the Muslim community. It is a recognition that societies need constant ethical and spiritual re-calibration. The message of Islam itself, as Sayyid Qutb highlights, is inherently easy, natural, and harmonious with the universe. Therefore, presenting it in a manner that reflects this ease, with wisdom and gentleness, is vital for its reception. The verse, then, becomes a spiritual diagnosis for the community: Are we reminding each other effectively? Are we, as an ummah, living and presenting a message of ease and wisdom? And are we collectively receptive to the reminders that bring us back to Allah?
Sources: al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-A'la 87:9 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-A'la 87:9 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.