A Comparative Study of A'raf and Ashab al-A`raf with Emphasis on Verses 46-49 of Surah Al-A'raf

One of the Quranic concepts about resurrection and life in the hereafter is the term A'raf and the people of A'raf (ashab al-a`raf) as mentioned in verses 46 to 49 of Chapter al-A'raf. What is A’raf? Who are the people called Ashab al-A`raf? What is their next home (if any)? The interpretations of the Holy Qur’an are replete with differences, because the word A’raf has different connotations. This brief study explains the Qur’anic term al-A’raf, in the light of different interpretations of the word, albeit relying on a comparative study within the commentaries and works authored by researchers and exegetes. One of the important findings of this research is that A'raf refers, literally, to the heights or prominent places or elevated surfaces between the hell and the heaven. These heights are inhabited by some people having the facility to observe the companions in paradise and those who are in the hell. The men on the heights are such souls as are not decidedly on the side of merit or decidedly on the side of sin, but evenly balanced on a partition between heaven and hell. Their case is yet to be decided, but they hope for God’s Mercy and intercession of the Infallibles and those near to Allah expecting to be allowed to enter Paradise.