EXPLANATION OF THE MEANING OF SURAT AN-NAZE’AT
( CHAPTER 79 ) SECTION ONE
The name of this Surah
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An-Naze’at refers to the Angels that take out the souls of human beings at the time of death, either violently ( those who reject faith and deny their accountability; or gently: the believers )
The angels take out the souls at the time of death
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وَٱلنَّازِعَاتِ غَرْقاً
By the (angels) who tear out (the souls of the wicked) with violence;
An-Naze’at 79 : 1
وَٱلنَّاشِطَاتِ نَشْطاً
By those who gently draw out (the souls of the blessed);
An-Naze’at 79 : 2
وَٱلسَّابِحَاتِ سَبْحاً
And by those who glide along (on errands of mercy),
An-Naze’at 79 : 3
فَٱلسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقاً
Then press forward as in a race,
An-Naze’at 79 : 4
فَٱلْمُدَبِّرَاتِ أَمْراً
Then arrange to do (the Commands of their Lord),
An-Naze’at 79 : 5
Allah makes an oath by His Angels and describes some of their deeds and actions:
They remove the souls of human beings
And take the souls of the believers to heaven
They glide in the sky obeying the orders of Allah
And they sustain order as Allah wills.
Others said: these verses refer to the stars and how they are arranged and controlled.
Similar verses in the Qur’an :
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِباً أَوْ قَالَ أُوْحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنَزلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَوْ تَرَىۤ إِذِ ٱلظَّالِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَاتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوۤاْ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوۤاْ أَنْفُسَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنْتُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
Who can be more wicked than one who invented a lie against Allah, or said: "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed?" If thou couldst but see how the wicked (do fare) in the flood of confusion at death! the angels stretch forth their hands, (saying), "Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive your reward, a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject of His Signs!"
Al-An’am 6 : 93
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَامُواْ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ أَلاَّ تَخَافُواْ وَلاَ تَحْزَنُواْ وَأَبْشِرُواْ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
In the case of those who say, "Our Lord is Allah," and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest), "Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), that which ye were promised!
Fusselat 41 : 30
The Day of Judgment
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يَوْمَ تَرْجُفُ ٱلرَّاجِفَةُ
One day everything that can be in commotion will be in violent
An-Naze’at 79: 6
تَتْبَعُهَا ٱلرَّادِفَةُ
Followed by oft-repeated (commotions):
An-Naze’at 79 : 7
On the Day of Judgment many changes will occur:
يَوْمَ تَرْجُفُ ٱلأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ وَكَانَتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَثِيباً مَّهِيلاً
وَطَعَاماً ذَا غُصَّةٍ وَعَذَاباً أَلِيماً
One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.
Al-Muzzammil 73 : 14
إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلأَرْضُ رَجّاً
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
Al-Waqi’a 56 : 4
وَبُسَّتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ بَسّاً
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
Al-Waqi’a 56 : 5
فَكَانَتْ هَبَآءً مُّنبَثّاً
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
Al-Waqi’a 56: 6
يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلأَرْضُ غَيْرَ ٱلأَرْضِ وَٱلسَّمَاوَاتُ وَبَرَزُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ
One day the Earth will be changed to a different Earth, and so will be the Heavens, and (men) will be marshalled forth, before Allah, the One, the Irresistible;
Ibrahim 14 : 48
Some scholars said that the first commotion or convulsion is in the earth, and the second in the heavens. Others said that the commotions refer to blowing of the trumpet: the first one when everyone will die, the second trumpet when everyone will be resurrected. Ahmad & termedhi related a saying of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) :
( O people remember Allah deep at night; the trumpet will blow, and death will come )
What will be the reaction of people on the Day of Judgment ?
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The unbelievers will be frightened, anxious , humiliated because of what they will see and suffer :
قُلُوبٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاجِفَةٌ
Hearts that Day will be in agitation;
An-Naze’at 79 : 7
أَبْصَارُهَا خَاشِعَةٌ
Cast down will be (their owners') eyes.
An-Naze’at 79 : 8
Similar verses :
وَتَرَاهُمْ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا خَاشِعِينَ مِنَ ٱلذُّلِّ يَنظُرُونَ مِن طَرْفٍ خَفِى وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَاسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوۤاْ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَامَةِ أَلاَ إِنَّ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ فِى عَذَابٍ مُّقِيمٍ
And thou wilt see them brought forward to the (Penalty), in a humble frame of mind because of (their) disgrace, (and) looking with a stealthy glance. And the Believers will say: "Those are indeed in loss who have given to perdition their own selves and those belonging to them on the Day of Judgment. Behold! truly the wrong-doers are in a lasting Penalty!"
Ash-Shura’ 42 : 45
They used to deny their accountability, and argue : who will resurrect us after we become dust and bones?
يَقُولُونَ أَإِنَّا لَمَرْدُودُونَ فِى ٱلْحَافِرَةِ
They say (now): "What! Shall we indeed be returned to (our) former state?
An-Naze’at 79 : 10
أَإِذَا كُنَّا عِظَاماً نَّخِرَةً
"What! When we shall Have become rotten bones?"
An-Naze’at 79 : 11
قَالُواْ تِلْكَ إِذاً كَرَّةٌ خَاسِرَةٌ
They say: "It would, in that case, be a return with loss!"
An-Naze’at 79 : 12
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلاً وَنَسِىَ خَلْقَهُ قَالَ مَن يُحيِى ٱلْعِظَامَ وَهِىَ رَمِيمٌ
And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: he says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?"
Ya Sin 36 : 78
The Answer comes :
فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ
But verily, it will be but a single (compelling) Cry,
An-Naze’at 79 : 13
فَإِذَا هُم بِٱلسَّاهِرَةِ
When, behold, they will be in the (full) awakening (to Judgment).
An-Naze’at 79 : 14
أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَاباً وَعِظَاماً أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
"What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)?
As-Saffat 37 : 16
أَوْ آبَآؤُنَا ٱلأَوَّلُونَ
"And also our fathers of old?"
As-Saffat 37 : 17
قُلْ نَعَمْ وَأَنتُمْ دَاخِرُونَ
Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."
As-Saffat 37 : 18
فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!
As-Saffat 37 : 19
وَقَالُواْ يٰوَيْلَنَا هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلدِّينِ
They will say, "Ah! woe to us! this is the Day of Judgment!"
As-Saffat 37 : 20
Remember Musa and Pharaoh
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Allah relates to Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) and to us the story of Musa ( Moses ) Allah’s messenger to the children of Israel. He was sent to a tyrant Pharaoh with clear signs from Allah, but he was arrogant and refused to submit to Allah and threatened Musa and the magicians who submitted to Allah with torture and death. He was punished along with his people. This story is a reminder to the people of Qoraysh who refused to believe in Allah and prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) that what happened to Pharaoh could happen to them if they persisted in their arrogance and disobedience.
هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰ
Has the story of Moses reached thee?
An-Naze’at 79 : 15
إِذْ نَادَاهُ رَبُّهُ بِٱلْوَادِى ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى
Behold, thy Lord did call to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa:
An-Naze’at 79 : 16
ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ
"Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.
An-Naze’at 79 : 17
فَقُلْ هَل لَّكَ إِلَىٰ أَن تَزَكَّىٰ
"And say to him, 'Wouldst thou that thou shouldst be purified (from sin)?
An-Naze’at 79 : 18
وَأَهْدِيَكَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَتَخْشَىٰ
"`And that I guide thee to thy Lord, so thou shouldst fear Him?'"
An-Naze’at 79 : 19
Pharaon was a ruthless arrogant tyrant, but Allah ordered Musa to talk to him in a mild way and remind him of God, His master and creator. It does not serve any purpose to be harsh or severe or threatening when we talk to others and invite them to Allah. They will revolt and turn away. The goal is not to threaten or frighten people, rather the goal is to guide them to God and let them understand and consider His message. This Da’wa should be done in a kind loving way that shows how much we care about them.
ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ
"Go, both of you to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds;
Ta Ha 20 : 43
فَقُولاَ لَهُ قَوْلاً لَّيِّناً لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ
"But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)"
Ta Ha 20 : 44
Every messenger is given evidence or a sign or miracle to support his claim that he is indeed a messenger from God. One of the signs given to Musa was his staff that turned into a serpent :
فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ
So (Moses) threw his rod, and behold, it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!
Ash-Shura’a 26 : 32
فَأَرَاهُ ٱلآيَةَ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰ
Then did (Moses) show him the Great Sign.
An-Naze’at 79 : 20
Pharaoh persisted in his arrogance and did not believe in Musa, nor submit to Allah:
فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَىٰ
But (Pharaoh) rejected it and disobeyed (guidance);
An-Naze’at 79 : 21
ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ يَسْعَىٰ
Further, he turned his back, striving hard (against Allah).
An-Naze’at 79 : 22
فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ
Then he collected (his men) and made a proclamation,
An-Naze’at 79 : 23
فَقَالَ أَنَاْ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلأَعْلَىٰ
Saying, "I am your Lord, most high."
An-Naze’at 79 : 24
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
And We showed Pharaoh all Our Signs, but he did reject and refuse
Ta Ha 20 : 56
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قَالَ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتُخْرِجَنَا مِنْ أَرْضِنَا بِسِحْرِكَ يٰمُوسَىٰ
He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses?
Ta Ha 20 : 57
فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِ فَٱجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِداً لاَّ نُخْلِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَلاَ أَنتَ مَكَاناً سُوًى
"But we can surely produce magic to match thine! so make a tryst between us and thee, which we shall not fail to keep - neither we nor thou - in a place where both shall have even chances."
Ta Ha 20 : 58
قَالَ مَوْعِدُكُمْ يَوْمُ ٱلزِّينَةِ وَأَن يُحْشَرَ ٱلنَّاسُ ضُحًى
Moses said: "Your tryst is the Day of the Festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun is well up."
Ta Ha 20 : 59
فَتَوَلَّىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فَجَمَعَ كَيْدَهُ ثُمَّ أَتَىٰ
So Pharaoh withdrew: he concerted his plan, and then came (back).
Ta Ha 20 : 60
فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ
Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration,
Ash-Shura’a 26 : 46
قَالُواْ آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ
Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds.
Ash-Shura’a 26 : 47
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ
"The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
Ash-Shura’a 26 : 48
قَالَ آمَنتُمْ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آذَنَ لَكُمْ إِنَّهُ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ فَلَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ َلأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ مِّنْ خِلاَفٍ وَ َلأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! But soon shall ye know! "But sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!"
Ash-Shura’a 26 : 49
Pharaoh’s end was inevitable: He was punished and drowned in order to make him an example for others to consider and reflect. Tyranny and oppression does not last forever; power is not permanent; falsehood will be conquered by the truth; God ‘s will and command will occur. Allah’s messengers will triumph. The believers will eventually succeed.
فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلآخِرَةِ وَٱلأُوْلَىٰ
But Allah did punish him (and made an) example of him, in the Hereafter, as in this life.
An-Naze;at 79 : 25
إِنَّ فِى ذٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَىٰ
Verily in this is an instructive warning for whosoever feareth (Allah).
An-Naze;at 79 : 26
وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِيۤ إِسْرَائِيلَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ وَجُنُودُهُ بَغْياً وَعَدْواً حَتَّىٰ إِذَآ أَدْرَكَهُ ٱلْغَرَقُ قَالَ آمَنتُ أَنَّهُ لاۤ إِلِـٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱلَّذِى آمَنَتْ بِهِ بَنوۤاْ إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَنَاْ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: "I believe that there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam)."
Yunus 10 : 90
آلآنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ قَبْلُ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
(It was said to him:) "Ah now! but a little while before, wast thou in rebellion! and thou didst mischief (and violence)!
Yunus 10 : 91
فَٱلْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ آيَةً وَإِنَّ كَثِيراً مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ
"This day shall We save thee in thy body, that thou mayest be a Sign to those who come after thee! but verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!"
Yunus 10 : 92
Pharaoh and those who obeyed him and followed him will suffer both in this life as well as in the Hereafter:
فَوَقَاهُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِ مَا مَكَـرُواْ وَحَاقَ بِآلِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوۤءُ ٱلْعَذَابِ
Then Allah saved him from (every) ill that they plotted (against him), but the brunt of the Penalty encompassed on all sides the People of Pharaoh.
Ghafir 40 : 45
ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوّاً وَعَشِيّاً وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوۤاْ آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ
In front of the Fire will they be brought, morning and evening: and (the Sentence will be) on the Day that Judgment will be established: "Cast ye the People of Pharaoh into the severest Penalty!"
Ghafir 40 : 46
Lessons to be learned
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There is a day of accountability when every person must account for his deeds and will be judged by Allah
People argue about the resurrection and deny their accountability to God, and refuse to follow His commands
Such people will be punished as occurred to Pharaoh who was arrogant and refused to submit despite the clear evidence shown to him
The way to invite to Allah is by being kind, caring and not be being harsh, threatening or hateful
The Qur’an is full of stories that awaken our hearts and remind us of our duties towards Allah
Falsehood will perish, and the truth will triumph, but this requires struggle, patience and sacrifice