The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried 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 Most surely your Allah is One: 4 Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is in-between the twain, and Lord of the easts. 5 Behold, We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with the beauty of stars, 6 a protection against every rebel satan; 7 So that they are not able to listen to the angels of higher echelons, and are pelted from all sides 8 rejected, and theirs is an everlasting chastisement, 9 And if any is able to snatch a fragment, he is pursued by a piercing flame. 10 Then inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created men from sticky clay. 11 Nay, thou marvellest; and they scoff 12 And when they are reminded, they remember not. 13 and when they see a miracle, they mock 14 it and say, "It is only plain magic". 15 When we are dead and turned to dust and bones, how can we be raised again, 16 And also our forefathers? 17 Say, "You will certainly be brought back to life in disgrace". 18 There will be but a single blast and then their eyes will open. 19 and they will say: 'Woe for us. This is the Day of Recompense' 20 (It will be said): "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny." 21