The Surah takes its name from the word al-A`la in the very first
verse. The subject matter shows that this too is one of the
earliest Surahs to be revealed, and the words: "We shall enable
you to recite, then you shall never forget" of verse 6 also
indicate that it was sent down in the period when the Holy
Messenger (upon whom he Allah's peace) was not yet fully
accustomed to receive Revelation and at the time Revelation came
down he feared lest he should forget its words. If this verse is
read along with verse 114 of Surah Ta Ha and verses 16-19 of Al-
Qiyamah and the three verses are also considered with regard to
their styles and contexts, the sequence of events seems to be
that first in this Surah the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace)
was reassured to the effect: "Do not at all worry: We shall
enable you to recite this Word, then you shall not forget it."
Then after a lapse of time, on another occasion, when the Surah
Al-Qiyamah was being revealed, the Holy Prophet involuntarily
began to rehearse the words