Al-A'la: (18) Indeed, this is in...

They differed regarding what is indicated by the word "this" (هذا).

1. Some said: The entire Surah. This is because the Surah encompasses Tawhid (Oneness of God), Prophethood, warning against disbelief in God, and promising reward for obedience to God Almighty.

2. Others said: Rather, what is indicated by this demonstrative pronoun is from the verse: {He has succeeded who purifies himself} (Al-A'la: 14). This points to purifying the soul from everything unbecoming:
   • Regarding the theoretical faculty, it means purification from all corrupt beliefs.
   • Regarding the practical faculty, it means purification from all blameworthy morals.

And the statement {And remembers the Name of his Lord} (Al-A'la: 15) points to perfecting the spirit through knowledge of God Almighty. And the statement {And has prayed} (Al-A'la: 15) points to perfecting the limbs and adorning them with obedience to God Almighty.

As for the statement {But you prefer the worldly life} (Al-A'la: 16), it points to the prohibition against turning toward the world. And the statement {But the Hereafter is better and more enduring} (Al-A'la: 17) points to encouragement toward the Hereafter and the reward of God Almighty.

These matters are such that they cannot differ based on the variation of divine laws (Shara'i'). For this reason, He said: {Indeed, this is in the former Scriptures}. This interpretation is confirmed by reason, and the reports also indicate it. It is narrated from Abu Dharr that he said: "I asked, 'Is there in the world what is in the Scrolls of Abraham and Moses?' He replied, 'Read, O Abu Dharr: {He has succeeded who purifies himself} (Al-A'la: 14).'"

3. Others said: The word "this" refers to the statement: {But the Hereafter is better and more enduring} (Al-A'la: 17). This is because the indication refers back to the closest mentioned item, which is this verse. As for the statement {in the former Scriptures}, it is analogous to His saying: {And indeed, it is in the former Scriptures} and His saying: {He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah} (Ash-Shura: 13).

{The Scriptures of Abraham and Moses}