In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammar.
Surah al-Saffat.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
By those who range themselves in ranks.
By those who drive the clouds in columns.
By those who recite the Reminder.
Allah swears by the angels who stand in ranks before their Lord in the heavens.
The angels who drive the clouds, steering them along.
The angels who recite the Book.
Indeed, your God is One.
“Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.” (37:5)
Indeed, the One you worship, O people, is One.
So dedicate your worship solely to Him.
He is the One, the Creator of the seven heavens and all the creation between them.
He is the Disposer of the sun’s rising points in winter and summer, and its setting points.
Worship is not fitting except for the One who possesses these attributes.
“Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;” (37:6)
“With security from every froward devil.” (37:7)
They cannot listen to the Exalted Assembly.
“They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,” (37:8)
Driven away.
And for them is a perpetual punishment.
“Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.” (37:10)
We have adorned the lowest heaven, which is nearest to you, O people, with the beauty of the stars.
And We have adorned it as a protection against every rebellious, wicked devil.
They cannot listen to the company of angels who are higher than those below them.
They are pelted from every side of the heavens.
Driven away, cast out by shooting stars.
And for these devils who attempt to eavesdrop, there is a perpetual, unceasing punishment from Allah.
Except for one who manages to snatch a word by stealth.
He is pursued by a piercing, flaming meteor.
“Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.” (37:11)
We created them from sticky clay.
So ask, O Muhammad, these polytheists who deny the Resurrection.
Ask them: is their creation more difficult?
Or the creation of those We have counted, such as the angels, the devils, the heavens, and the earth?
We created them from sticky clay.
Because it is earth mixed with water.
Nay, you are amazed, while they mock.
“And heed not when they are reminded,” (37:13)
“And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.” (37:14)
Nay, you are amazed, O Muhammad.
And they mock this Qur'an.
And when these polytheists are reminded of Allah’s proofs against them.
So that they might take heed and reflect.
They do not benefit from the reminder, nor do they take heed.
And when they see one of Allah’s proofs against them.
They mock and ridicule it.
“And they say: Lo! this is mere magic;” (37:15)
When we have died and become dust and bones.
Are we indeed to be resurrected?
Or our forefathers of old?
“Say (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low.” (37:18)
It will be but a single blast.
And behold, they will be staring in awe.
These polytheists said to Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
This which you have brought us is nothing but clear magic.
To anyone who contemplates it and sees it as magic.
Are we to be resurrected alive from our graves?
Or our forefathers of old who passed away before us?
And perished and were destroyed?
Say to them:
Yes, and you will be resurrected, humbled and disgraced.
It will be but a single shout.
That is the blowing of the Trumpet.
And behold, their eyes will be wide open in terror.
They will be looking at what they used to deny regarding the Hour, witnessing it with their own eyes.
“And say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment.” (37:20)
“This is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny.” (37:21)
These polytheists who deny the truth will say when the single blast is sounded.
Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense and Reckoning.
This is the Day of Judgment, when Allah separates His creation with His just decree.
Which you used to deny in the worldly life, rejecting it.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.