There is a Surah in Qura’n named A’raf and four of its verses are about it. We learn from these verses that the land between Paradise and Hell is called A’raf and some chosen ones of the good who know those in the Paradise and those in Hell live there.

But what are the responsibilities of these chosen people, what is their purpose, what is the status of A’raf on the Day of Judgment, are the weak believers there with these chosen people of God?

These are the questions that will answer in these four verses about A’raf through the Islamic traditions. With this brief introduction we now turn to the Qura’n and study the named verses.

Verse 46 says:

“And between the two shall be a screen, and on the heights shall be men who know all by their marks, and they shall call out to the inmates of the garden, “Peace be on you.” They shall not have entered it though they would hope to do so.”

Verse 47 says:

“When they turn their eyes to the inmates of the fire they shall say, “Lord, cause us not to be with the unjust people.”

Verse 48 says:

“Men will call the occupants of the heights whom they shall recognize by their marks, “Of no help has been your amassing and that in which you used to act proudly.”

Verse 49 says:

“Are these the ones on whom you swear that God will not bestow His mercy? To them God now says, “Enter the garden! No fear shall be with you nor shall you grieve.”