The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks, 1 And those who restrain by reprimanding, 2 By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Quran from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]. 3 Indeed your God is surely only One. 4 Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them; Lord of the Easts. 5 We have adorned the lower heaven with the adornment of the stars 6 And as protection against every rebellious devil 7 They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side. 8 To make them flee, and for them is a never-ending punishment. 9 Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame. 10 So ask them for a pronouncement -- Are they stronger in constitution, or those We created? We created them of clinging clay. 11 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock 12 They pay no attention when they are reminded 13 And when they behold a sign, they turn to scoffing. 14 and say: “This is nothing but plain sorcery. 15 They say, "Shall we be brought to life again after we die and turn into dust and bones? 16 and perhaps also our forebears of old?" 17 Say thou: and verily ye; shall then be despicable. 18 It will be a single Zajrah [shout (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet)], and behold, they will be staring! 19 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!" 20 [It will be said], "This is the Day of Judgement which you have been denying." 21