Tafsir of Al-A'la 87:18

"Indeed, this" is a reference—according to what Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Ibn Zayd—to His saying, the Exalted: "And the Hereafter is better and more enduring." This has also been narrated from Qatadah. Many others have said that it refers to what was mentioned of His saying, the Glorified: "He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself," and so on; and a narration that bears witness to this will follow, God willing.

Ad-Dahhak said: It is a reference to the Qur'an; thus, the verse is like His saying, the Exalted: "And indeed, it is in the scriptures of the former peoples." According to Ibn Abbas, Ikrimah, and As-Suddi, it is a reference to what the entire Surah encompasses, though in this there is some remoteness.

"In the first scriptures," meaning established within them, [denoting] its meaning. Al-A'mash, Harun, and 'Ismah—both from Abu 'Amr—recited it with a sukun on the ha [in suhuf], as is the case in what follows [in the text]. This is the dialect of Tamim, according to what is [mentioned] in al-Lawami'.