Surah As Saffat in English Translation with Explain

Surah As-Saffat (Arabic: الصافات) is the 37th chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 182 verses. It is a Meccan surah, primarily dealing with the themes of divine unity, the resurrection, and the fate of the disbelievers and the believers. The surah also speaks about the stories of several prophets, particularly focusing on the stories of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), Prophet Musa (Moses), Prophet Yunus (Jonah), and others. The name "As-Saffat" translates to "The Ranks" or "Those Who Set the Ranks," referring to the angels who stand in ranks, awaiting Allah's commands.

General Themes of Surah As-Saffat:

The Oneness of Allah: Emphasis on the majesty and power of Allah, highlighting that only He is worthy of worship.
Angels’ Role in the Divine Plan: The surah describes the angels who carry out Allah’s commands and serve as instruments of His will.
The Resurrection and the Afterlife: The surah reminds people of the certainty of the resurrection and the Day of Judgment.
The Fate of Disbelievers and Believers: It contrasts the outcomes of those who disbelieve with those who believe and obey Allah.
Stories of the Prophets: The surah recounts the stories of several prophets to illustrate the principles of faith, patience, and trust in Allah's plan.

English Translation and Explanation of Key Verses:

1. Verse 1-3:

"I swear by those who line up in rows, and those who drive the clouds, and those who recite the reminder." The surah begins with an oath by three categories of beings:

Those who line up in rows: referring to the angels who stand in ranks, ready to fulfill Allah’s commands.
Those who drive the clouds: referring to the angels responsible for bringing the clouds to provide rain.
Those who recite the reminder: this could refer to the angels who remind and remind people of Allah’s message, or to the Qur'an itself as a reminder.

These oaths highlight the majesty of the angels and their role in the divine plan.

2. Verse 4-5:

"Indeed, your God is One, Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them; and Lord of the sun’s setting." This verse emphasizes the oneness of Allah. He is the Lord of everything—of the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. This assertion of Allah’s sovereignty over all things invites believers to acknowledge His exclusive authority and power.

3. Verse 10:

"But they [disbelievers] denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blaze." This verse addresses the disbelievers who deny the coming of the Day of Judgment (the Hour). It warns them that they will face a terrible punishment (Blaze, referring to Hellfire) for their rejection of the truth.

4. Verse 15:

"Indeed, when we are dead and have become dust, we will be resurrected as a new creation?" This verse depicts the disbelievers’ mocking response to the concept of resurrection. They question how they can be resurrected after their bodies have turned to dust, showing their denial of the afterlife.

5. Verse 16-17:

"Say, 'The first creation – is it not easier for them than the resurrection?' Yet they are in confusion about a new creation." In these verses, Allah challenges the disbelievers by asking if the first creation (the creation of life) is not easier than the resurrection. The disbelievers are in denial of the resurrection, but Allah points out the illogic of their stance, as the creation of the universe itself is a much more complex act.

6. Verse 24-25:

"So indeed, when the horn is blown, they will be in the graves, and they will rise in haste." This verse refers to the event of the Day of Judgment when the trumpet will be blown, signaling the resurrection. The dead will be raised from their graves quickly, and the entire world will be brought before Allah for judgment.

7. Verse 37:

"And they [the angels] say, 'Glory be to Your Lord, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne. Exalted is He above what they describe.'" Here, the angels praise Allah, declaring His perfection and exaltation above all things. They reject any false descriptions or attributes that are ascribed to Allah, emphasizing His transcendence.

8. Verse 43-44:

"Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are in denial, and We have prepared for them a punishment that is painful and severe." This verse describes the punishment for those who reject the belief in the Hereafter. Their disbelief leads them to a painful fate on the Day of Judgment.

9. Verse 48-50:

"Indeed, for the righteous is a place of security, gardens and vineyards, and full-breasted [companions] of equal age, and a full cup." In contrast to the punishment of the disbelievers, this verse promises rewards for the believers in Paradise. They will have a place of safety and comfort, including beautiful gardens, companions, and an eternal state of bliss.

10. Verse 56-57:

"Indeed, We have created man from clay, from a solidified mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire." This verse speaks about the creation of humans and jinn. Humans were created from clay, while jinn were created from fire. The distinction highlights the unique creation of both beings and their differing nature.

11. Verse 75-76:

"Indeed, Abraham was a man of truth and a prophet. When he said to his father, 'O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear or see and will not benefit you at all?'" This is the beginning of the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). Here, he challenges his father’s idol worship, calling his father to recognize the futility of worshipping idols that have no power to hear, see, or benefit.

12. Verse 100-101:

"And [remember] when he [Ibrahim] said, 'My Lord, give me a child from among the righteous.'" Here, Prophet Ibrahim prays for a righteous offspring. His story is a reminder of patience and trust in Allah, as his prayer for a child, despite his old age and his wife’s barrenness, was eventually answered with the birth of Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael).

13. Verse 123-126:

"Indeed, Noah was a messenger to his people, but they denied him, and We saved him and his followers in the ship." The surah continues with the story of Prophet Nuh (Noah). It reminds the disbelievers of the fate of Noah’s people, who rejected him and were destroyed by the flood. This serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting the divine message.

14. Verse 139-141:

"And [We sent] 'Ilyas [Elias] to his people. But they denied him. And they were destroyed." This verse speaks about Prophet Ilyas (Elias), who was sent to his people to call them to worship Allah alone. His people denied him, and they suffered the consequences of their rejection.

15. Verse 158:

"Indeed, those who are in the denial of the truth will be in the Fire, for their deeds will be of no value." This verse addresses the ultimate fate of the disbelievers. Their deeds, no matter how good they seem, will be of no benefit to them on the Day of Judgment if they have rejected Allah’s message.

16. Verse 181-182:

"Say, 'Praise to Allah, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allah better, or what they associate with Him?'" The surah ends with a declaration of praise to Allah, affirming that He is the best and above any false gods that are associated with Him. It calls for a reflection on the greatness of Allah in contrast to the powerless idols.

Key Lessons from Surah As-Saffat:

The Oneness of Allah: The surah emphasizes the fundamental concept of monotheism (Tawhid), urging people to worship Allah alone and reject all false deities.
The Reality of the Afterlife: It is a reminder of the resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and the ultimate outcomes for both the believers and the disbelievers. The believers will be rewarded with Paradise, while the disbelievers will face punishment.
Stories of the Prophets: The surah recounts the stories of several prophets (Ibrahim, Musa, Nuh, Yunus, etc.) to illustrate their struggles, their calls for worship of the One true God, and the consequences faced by those who rejected them.
The Role of Angels: The surah highlights the role of angels in carrying out Allah’s commands. They serve as messengers, as protectors, and as agents of Allah's will in the universe.
Patience and Trust in Allah: The prophets’ stories also teach the importance of patience and trust in Allah’s plan, even when facing rejection, hardship, or delay in the fulfillment of prayers.
The Fate of the Rejecters: The surah warns the disbelievers and idolaters about the dire consequences of their actions in the Hereafter. Those who deny the truth will face the torment of Hell.
Reflection on Creation: The creation of human beings and jinn from different elements (clay and fire) is used to reflect on the majesty of Allah as the Creator of everything.

Conclusion:

Surah As-Saffat is a powerful reminder of the importance of monotheism, the reality of the Day of Judgment, and the stories of the prophets as lessons for humanity. The surah encourages reflection on the signs of Allah in the universe, teaches patience, and warns against the consequences of disbelief. It is a call for submission to Allah’s will, recognizing His sovereignty, and following the path of righteousness.

Search This Blog