The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
By the angels ranged in ranks. 1 By the angels driving away. 2 By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Quran from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]. 3 Verily your Ilah (God) is indeed One (i.e. Allah); 4 He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Lord of the Eastern regions. 5 Surely We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment, the stars, 6 and to preserve against every rebel Satan; 7 (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side, 8 and are repelled. Theirs is an unceasing chastisement. 9 Except one who sometimes steals a part, so a blazing flame goes after him. 10 Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “Are they a stronger creation, or are other things of our creation, (the angels, the heavens etc.)?” We have indeed created them from sticky clay. 11 Nay, thou marvellest; and they scoff 12 and when they are reminded [of the truth,] they refuse to take it to heart; 13 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent. 14 and they say, 'This is nothing but manifest sorcery. 15 Is it ever possible that after we die and are reduced to dust and (a skeleton of) bones, we will be raised to life? 16 Or our fathers of yore? 17 Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible." 18 Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see! 19 and they say, 'Woe, alas for us! This is the Day of Doom.' 20 [And they will be told:] "This is the Day of Distinction [between the true and the false - the Day] which you were wont to call a lie!" 21