Chapter 37-53
The Ranks (Surah Al-Saffat)
(182 verses in total; revealed in Makkah – Middle Makkan 5th or 6th year)
This long chapter starts with reference to forces and or other beings that we are not aware of and continues to give guidance to the prophet to have patience and to refute the deniers with truthful information and guidance. It ends with warnings to the disbeliever while sending blessings to prophets and reaffirming God’s Oneness!
The key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· The Shaitan and the Jinn, which are creatures made from fire (as opposed to humans made from dust), can ascend to heavens to seek information about affairs discussed in heavenly assembly but are restrained and driven away
· Human beings are easier to create than the rest of the universe, so why it would be difficult to bring about resurrection?
· The resurrection will be initiated as if by a single blast when everyone will wake up and confront the realities of afterlife
· The contrast between the faithful who did good vs. those who denied and did evil will be according to what each party deserve and what God had prepared as consequences
· The story of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son, Ishamel is explained and is dramatically different than the way the Bible described the same event but assert it was Issac and not Ishmael and that Abraham did not inform Issac about his dream
· Various prophets are in this narrative – Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Lot, Elias, Moses and Aaron are included
In the name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
By those1 arranged in ranks
Driven and restrained
Reciter of the Reminder
“Surely your God is One!” (v. 1-4)
God of the heavens and the earth – in between, and the lands of rising sun!2 We (God) had beautified the lower heavens with stars and a safeguard against rebellious devils (Satan) – they cannot listen in to the Highest Assembly3and are restrained from all directions, driven away and faced with perpetual reproach. Even if any of them steals away a bit of information, they are pursued by intense flames! (v. 5-10)
Therefore, ask (Prophet) the deniers whether they are more difficult to create or others that We had created? Surely, We had made them (humankind) of firm clay. (v. 11)
Now you wonder, why they mock
You remind, but they pay no attention
They see a sign but make fun of it! (v. 12-14)
They say, “It is nothing but plain enchantment – when we are dead and turn into bones and decayed, shall there be a second living? What about our previous generations?” Reply (Prophet), “Yes, and you will be humbled and humiliated.” (v. 15-18)
It will be but a single blast, and lo! they will be awake! They will then say, “Shame on us! This is the Day of Judgement!” This is the day of decision that you mocked at – all who denied and did wrong, their associates and their deities that they worshipped besides God, will be gathered and led to hell. They will be stopped on the way and questioned, “What is the matter now that you do not come to one another’s rescue?” Now indeed, they will be totally submissive! (v. 19-26)
They will turn to one another questioning and accusing, “You used to come to us with power and argument4”, but they will reply, “You yourselves were deniers and arrogant – we had no power over you. Now the word of God had proven against us, and we have no choice but to face the consequence. We led you astray because we ourselves were without guidance. Therefore, they will share in the consequence. This is how We deal with the guilty! (v. 27-34)
They were arrogant when they were informed, “There is no god but God”, because they said, “Shall we forgo our gods for the sake of a mad man? Yet, he came with the truth and confirms the (previous) prophets. (v. 35-37)
You will face grave consequences
Requital is nothing but a response to what you do
Saved are those who are God’s servant and pure
They will have provisions already known
Fruits as provision
Honorable disposition
In the garden of delight! (v. 38-43)
On couches facing each other
Cups of drink will come from a flowing stream
Milky – delicious to the drinkers
Causing no exhaustion or intoxication!
Among them will be spouses – modest and beautiful
As if like eggs, carefully protected!5 (v. 44-49)
Some of them will turn to others inquiring
A speaker among them will say
“I had a friend who would ask
‘Are you of those who are faithful?
When we are dead – bones and decayed – shall we be brought to judgement?’”
He will say, “Shall we look?”
He will look down and will see his friend in the throes of hell
“By God, you almost made me perish just like you!
Had it not been for the grace of God,
I too would have been there with the likes of yours!” (v. 50 -57)
(He will then ask those around him) – “Are we never to die?
Except our previous death? Never to be chastised again?
This is indeed a grand achievement!” (v. 58-60)
For such outcome, let everyone strive! (v. 61)
Is this a better outcome or the tree of Zuqqum? We have made a trial for the unjust and those who do wrong! It is a tree that grows at the bottom of hell and its produce are like the heads of serpents. They (guilty) will surely eat from it to fill their bellies and then have a drink of boiling water afterward. Then they will return to the fire.6(v. 62-68)
They found their previous generation in error
In their footsteps they are rushing forth
Most of the generations even prior to them were in error
We had sent messengers and warners to them all
You can see the results of those warned
Except the servants of God, those who purified themselves! (v. 69-74)
Indeed Noah called on Us before
How excellent of a Responder We are!
We saved him and his people from calamity
Aided his offspring establish themselves
Salam (Peace) on Noah from all people!
This is how We compensate the doers of good
He was one of the believing servants
Others We drowned! (v. 75-82)
Abraham was of his faith as well
He was secure in his faith in his God
He came to his father and his community – “what is it that you worship?”
A fabrication – gods besides the true God you desire to worship?
“What do you think about the God of the universe?” (v. 83-87)
He then glanced at the stars and said, “I am sick.” 7
At that they left, leaving him alone
He then turned to their gods –
“Do you not eat?
“How is it that you do not speak?” (v. 88-92)
Then he turned to them and started to break them with his right hand. His people rushed towards him. He said to them, “Do you worship things that your own hand had constructed? While God created you and all that you make.” They said, “Let’s build a pyre and throw him in the flaming fire.” They devised a plan against him, but We foiled it and humiliated them! (v. 93-98)
He said, “I will go to my Sustainer God – he sure will guide me. My Sustainer God, grant me a righteous doer.8” So We gave the good news of a forbearing servant. Once the boy came of age and can work with him, Abraham said, “My son, I see myself sacrificing you in a dream. What is your take on it? The son replied, “My father, do as you are commanded. God willing, you will find me patient and observant.”9 Once they complied and Abraham put his son face down, We called out, “Abraham, you had fulfilled the vision.” This is how We reward those who do good – it was certainly a difficult trial. We replaced it with a greater form of sacrifice and granted Abraham endearment from later generations – “Salam (peace) to Abraham!”, as our reward for the doers of good! (v. 99-110)
He was one of the faithful servants. We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet, a righteous one! We blessed Isaac and him, both. Among their offspring are good people, but there are some who have clearly become unjust and corrupt! (v. 111-113)
We also placed Our Blessings on Moses and Aaron – We saved them and their people from great distress. We helped them so that they can be successful! We gave them both a book with clear expositions and guided them to the right path. We granted them endearment from later generations – “Salam (peace) to Moses and Harun (Aaron)!”, as our reward for the doers of good! They were both from our faithful servants. (v. 114-122)
Surely Elias10 was one of the messengers. He said to his community, “Will you stop doing evil? What is that you call on Ba’l11 but forget the Best Creator – God, the Cherisher of yours and your forerunners?” They rejected him - so they will be called to face the consequence (of their evils) but not those who were devoted to God and led a pure life. We granted him endearment from later generations – “Salam (peace) to Elias!”, as our reward for the doers of good! He was from our faithful servants. (v. 123-132)
Lot was certainly among the messengers. We saved him and his people, all but an old woman who remained behind with others – We destroyed all others! You pass by their ruins each morning and night – what is it that you do not understand? (v. 133-138)
Yunus (Jonah) was certainly among the messengers. He fled in an overloaded ship, sharing with others and was thrown overboard when a fish took him into its mouth, since he was blameworthy. Had he not been one of those who gloried God, he would have died in its belly until the Day of Rising. Therefore, We cast him on a barren shore and he was sick. We caused a gourd to grow for his nourishment and we restored him to numerous followers12. They all believed, and God gave them prosperity for a time. (v. 139-148)
Ask them (Prophet)
“Does your God have daughters while you prefer sons?
Did God create angels as females, while you witnessed?”
Ah, it is their own lie, when they say
“God has begotten!”
They are indeed liars.
Has God preferred daughters to sons?
What is the matter with you? How do you make assertions?
Will you not be mindful?
Do you have clear evidence?
Bring your Book if you speak the truth! (v. 149-157)
They claim relationship for jinn with God, while jinn know that they are accountable to God. (v. 158)
God is pure from what they ascribe!
While true servants of God – the pure ones – refrain!
You and what you worship will not derail any
Except those who will face the flame
Each one of us has an assigned place
Arranged in orderly ranks
And we truly exalt (God)”13 (v158-166)
They used to say before
Had we been given a reminder like the previous generations
We would have been sincere servants of God
But now (with the reminder) they disbelieve in it
Soon they will come to know (the reality) (v. 167-170)
God’s word has already gone out – to the servants, the messengers
They will be helped, for certain
Those who support our cause will prevail (v. 171-173)
Now, turn away from them and wait a little
Watch them as they watch you too
Do they want to hasten the accountability?
But when it lands in their courtyard, it will be a dreadful morning
So, turn away and wait a little
Watch as they will find out (v. 174-179)
Glory be to your God, the God of Might, pure from what they attribute
Blessings on those who are sent (as messengers)
All praises to be God, the Cherisher of the Universe! (v. 180-182)
1 Some Muslim commentators have interpreted this verse as the Eastern Lands that will come under the influence of emerging Muslim communities in the seventh century – a prediction or prophecy of the rise of Islam in and around the Arabian peninsula.
2 This phrase is also repeated in 38:69 – assembly of angels by themselves or in the presence of God.
3 Actual phrase literally means ‘coming from the right’ (a’nil yamin).
4 Common Arab expression for a beautiful woman was that of an egg of an ostrich, a rare find in the desert sand and to be protected.
5 See also 44:43-50, 17:60.
6 Either he felt sick physically (or was sick of their false gods) and was left alone.
7 Classical commentators and even some recent translations refer to this verse as if Abraham asked for a son; the actual word used is “a righteous person” (salihin). Reflect also when Jesus’s grandmother asked for a child to devote to God and was surprised when it was Mary, a girl and not a boy.
8 This story of sacrificing his son by Abraham is very different from the story in the Bible (...) see note...
9 Considered to be Elijah in the Bible.
10 Stands for sun-god.
11 Bible – Jonah (1:17, 4:10-11).
12 Refutation by believing jinn, believing humankind, and angels. Qur’an at times quotes someone without explicitly saying who that is – context provides the meaning, and perhaps more than one individual or group could be appropriate.
13 Various commentators have mentioned angels, faithful in prayer or in a defensive position on the battlefield, as being referenced here.
