The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, 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 Most surely your Allah is One: 4 Lord of the heavens and the earth, and of what between them is Lord of the Easts. 5 We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,- 6 And as protection against every rebellious devil 7 they listen not to the High Council, for they are pelted from every side, 8 To make them flee, and for them is a never-ending punishment. 9 except such as snatches a fragment, and he is pursued by a piercing flame. 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 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule, 12 And they do not understand, when explained to. 13 And when they behold a sign, they turn to scoffing. 14 it and say, "It is only plain magic". 15 They say, "Shall we be brought to life again after we die and turn into dust and bones? 16 What, and our forefathers, the ancients' 17 Say thou: and verily ye; shall then be despicable. 18 It shall be but one shout, lo! they shall be staring. 19 and will say: "Oh, woe unto us! This is the Day of Judgment!" 20 (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!" 21