Alif, Lam, Ra. (These are the names of letters of the Arabic alphabet, and only Allah knows their meaning here) Those are the ayat (Verses, signs) of the Evident Book
Alif-Lam-Ra. (These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings).These are the Verses of the Clear Book (the Quran that makes clear the legal and illegal things, legal laws, a guidance and a blessing)
Alif, Lam, Ra... These are the signs of the Knowledge that clearly manifests the reality.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Alif 'A', Lam 'L', Ra 'R'. These are the verses of the Book(which makes the truth)Manifest.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim
A. (Alef), L. (Lam), R. (Raa), the Surah opens with these letters introductory front the Arabic Alphabet to draw attention to the miracle of the Quran which though written in the people's tongue, cannot be emulated. These are divinely discoursed verses flowing with the precision and grace that are symbolic of the Book -the Quran- the spirit of truth that guides into all truth