This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research and compilation of all the Surahs of Holy Quran. An effort to make each of these Surahs understandable in an easy way. Today's effort is This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research & compilation of all the Surahs of Holy Quran. An effort to make each of these Surahs understandable. Today's effort is SURAH AN-NAZI'AT Chapter- 80. If you consider it a piece of learning do comment at the bottom of the blog. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen). Please do write comments about this blog at its bottom.
English Translation:
1.
By those (angels) who pull out (the souls of the disbelievers and the wicked)
with great violence; 2. By those
(angels) who gently take out (the souls of the believers); 3. And by those that swim along (i.e. angels or planets in their
orbits, etc.). 4. And by those that
press forward as in a race (i.e. the angels or stars or the horses, etc.). 5. And by those angels who arrange to
do the Commands of their Lord, (so verily, you disbelievers will be called to
account). 6. On the Day (when the
first blowing of the Trumpet is blown), the earth and the mountains will shake
violently (and everybody will die), 7.
The second blowing of the Trumpet follows it (and everybody will be raised up),
8. (Some) hearts that Day will shake
with fear and anxiety. 9. Their eyes
cast down. 10. They say: "Shall
we indeed be returned to (our) former state of life? 11. "Even after we are crumbled bones?" 12. They say: "It would in that
case, be a return with loss!" 13.
But only, it will be a single Zajrah [shout (i.e., the second blowing of the
Trumpet)]. (See Verse 37:19). 14.
When, behold, they find themselves over the earth alive after their death, 15. Has there come to you the story of
Musa (Moses)? 16. When his Lord
called him in the sacred valley of Tuwa, 17.
Go to Fir'on (Pharaoh), verily, he has transgressed all bounds (in crimes,
sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.). 18.
And say to him: "Would you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief by
becoming a believer)", 19. And
that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him? 20. Then [Musa (Moses)] showed him the great sign (miracles). 21. But [Fir'on (Pharaoh)] belied and
disobeyed; 22. Then he turned his
back, striving hard (against Allah). 23.
Then he gathered his people and cried aloud, 24. Saying: "I am your lord, most high", 25. So Allah, seized him with
punishment for his last [i.e. his saying: "I am your lord, most
high") (see Verse 79:24)] and first [(i.e. his saying, "O chiefs! I
know not that you have a god other than I" (see Verse 28:38)]
transgression. 26. Verily, in this
is an instructive admonition for whosoever fears Allah. 27. Are you more difficult to create, or is the heaven that He
constructed? 28. He raised its
height, and He has equally ordered it, 29.
Its night He covers with darkness, and its forenoon He brings out (with light).
30. And after that He spread the
earth; 31. And brought forth therefrom
its water and its pasture; 32. And
the mountains He has fixed firmly; 33.
(To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle. 34. But when there comes the greatest catastrophe (i.e. the Day of
Recompense, etc.), 35. The Day when
man shall remember what he strove for, 36.
And Hell-fire shall be made apparent in full view for (every) one who sees, 37. Then, for him who Tagha
(transgressed all bounds, in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of
disobedience to Allah). 38. And
preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), 39. Verily, his abode will be
Hell-fire; 40. But as for him who
feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil
desires, and lusts. 41. Verily,
Paradise will be his abode. 42. They
ask you (O Muhammad ()) about the Hour, - when will be its appointed time? 43. You have no knowledge to say
anything about it, 44. To your Lord
belongs (the knowledge of) the term thereof? 45. You (O Muhammad ()) are only a warner for those who fear it, 46. The Day they see it, (it will be)
as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning.
Introduction:
An-Naziat (Arabic: النازعات, "Those Who Pull
Out", in reference to "the angels who tear out the souls of the
wicked") is the 79th (seventy-ninth) surah of the Qur'an, it’s
in Juzz 30 with 46 verses (ayats), it has 785 letters and 179 words with 154
unique words without repetition The name Naziat is
derived from the first verse of this Surah which means those who intensely
extract and wrest and perhaps in this case it means angels who do so in regard
to the souls of human beings at the time of their death. This Surah was
revealed after Surah An-Nabaa. It was revealed during the earliest period of the
Prophet's residence in Mecca i.e., before Prophet ﷺ migrated to the city of
Medina. Its 81st Surah in the order of revelation.
Story
of Prophet Musa in Surah An-Naziat:
As mentioned above, the story narrated within Surah
An-Naziat in the Quran is regarding Nabi Musa and his encounter with the
Pharaoh. Allah the Exalted eludes to this story by firstly asking His Prophet
if he has heard of it. What we need to understand from this method of
addressing is that the question which has been raised is in order to show the
importance of this story. Since it is obvious that Prophet Muhammad was
informed of the matter earlier, bringing the story in such a fashion is to
create interest and draw the attentions to the topic.
The story of Prophet Musa in Surah An-Naziat is to
reassure His Prophet and comfort his heart by reminding him once more that the
prophets and messengers before him went through difficulty in order to guide
their people and finally overcoming their opponents as well. Moreover, it is
for us to know that the battle between right and wrong, light and darkness,
justice and oppression has been continuing through the course of time and is
not limited to our era.
Major
Issues, Divine Laws and Guidance:
·
Death, the Day of Resurrection and life
after death.
·
The story of the Prophet Musa (pbuh) when
he called Fir'on (Pharaoh) to his Rabb, who denied Allah and was subsequently
punished.
·
The creation of man is not harder than the
creation of the heavens, earth and its contents.
·
Punishment and reward on the Day of
Judgement.
Theme
of Surah an Naziat:
This surah's theme is the affirmation of the day of
judgment and life hereafter. It also warns of the consequences of belying the
Messenger of God. The theme in this Surah, like Surah Nabaa, is about Resurrection and, on the whole, can be
divided into six parts:
1. It
emphasizes on the certainty of the Great Day and lays stress on its occurrence
by emphatic statements, which relate to the Resurrection.
2. It
points to one part of the frightening and dreadful incidents of that Day.
3. It
precisely mentions the story of Moses and the end of the arrogant Pharaoh as a
consolation for both the Prophet (S) and the believers, as well as giving a
warning to the unbelievers, and also contains an indication to the fact that
the denial of the Resurrection is the source of many sins.
4. It
mentions a few of the countless Powers of Allah, which exist in the heavens and
on the Earth; themselves, being evidences of the possibility of Resurrection
and the new life after death.
5. It
describes another part of the horrible events, on that Great Day, and the
painful end of the unbelievers in contrast to the rewards of the righteous.
6. At
the end of the Surah, it emphasizes on the fact that no one knows the date of
that Day, however, it is certain that it is near.
Lessons
to Learn from Surah An-Naziat:
Ø There
is no escape from Qiyamah when all souls will be held accountable
Ø The
battle between right and wrong has roots in history from which we need to learn
where to stand and how to navigate.
Ø We
are surrounded by the signs of Allah and each sign can lead us to a truth if we
contemplate and reflect.
Ø Qiyamah
will be swift and easy for those who purified themselves for their Lord.
Ø Those
who disobey will have a great chastisement in store for them.
Ø Qiyamah
is a reality yet the time is hidden from all knowledge.
The
Virtue in Studying this Surah
Ø It
is narrated that the Prophet (S) said: “For he who studies Surah Naziat the
length of his stay and his reckoning on the Day of Judgment will last as long
as the saying of a daily prayer and, thereafter, he will come into Paradise”.
Ø A
tradition from Imam Sadiq (as) says: “He who studies it (Surah Naziat) will not
pass away but satisfied, will not be brought into the Resurrection but
satisfied, and will not come into Paradise but satisfied”, (with the infinite
Grace of Allah).
Ø In
another hadith his eminence states: One who recites Surah An-Naziat will not be
alone in the grave and this surah will appear as his companion.
Ø In
addition to this, Imam Sadiq peace be upon him has said: He who recited Surah
An-Naziat when facing their enemy, will be concealed from their enemy and if
they fear the enemy when entering upon the enemy, they will be saved and God
will protect them.
Benefits
of Surah An-Naziat:
The benefits of reciting
Surah An-Naziat, as with many other Surahs, are derived from the teachings of
the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the interpretations of Islamic
scholars.
1. Understanding the
Hereafter: Surah
An-Naziat delves deep into the events that will transpire on the Day of
Judgment. This Surah paints a vivid picture of the resurrection, where souls
will be reawakened, and the subsequent reckoning where deeds will be weighed.
The portrayal of these events serves as a powerful reminder to believers about
the reality of the Hereafter. It emphasizes the contrast between the fleeting
nature of this world and the permanence of the next. By understanding these
events, believers are encouraged to prioritize their life in the Hereafter over
the temporary allure of this world.
2. Reflection on the
Power of Allah: The Surah is a testament to Allah’s
unparalleled power & authority. The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and
Pharaoh is particularly striking. Pharaoh, with all his earthly power, is shown
to be powerless against the will and signs of Allah, as manifested through
Prophet Musa. This narrative serves as a profound reflection on the transient
nature of worldly power compared to the eternal & absolute power of Allah. It reinforces the idea that true power
rests only with Allah, & everything else is ephemeral.
3.
Encouragement to Repent: Surah An-Naziat doesn’t just describe
the events of the Day of Judgment; it also delves into the emotions and
reactions of the people. The fear, regret, and realization that will dawn upon
the souls serve as a potent reminder of the consequences of one’s actions. This
emotional portrayal acts as a strong motivator, urging believers to introspect,
rectify their mistakes, and sincerely turn back to Allah. It underscores the
importance of seeking forgiveness in this world before the Day when repentance
will no longer be accepted.
4. Protection and
Blessings: The act of reciting the Qur’an is
inherently blessed. Surah An-Naziat, with its profound themes, is believed to
bring about special protection and blessings for those who recite and reflect
upon it. Many believe that regular recitation serves as a shield against
adversities and a means to attract divine favor in one’s life. While the exact
nature of these blessings is known only to Allah, the peace and tranquility one
feels are palpable.
5. Reward for Recitation:
The
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has mentioned that there is a reward for
reciting each letter of the Qur’an. While Surah An-Naziat might not have a
specific hadith detailing its reward, the general principle of being rewarded
for Qur’anic recitation applies. Given the depth and importance of its themes,
reflecting upon this Surah and acting upon its teachings can only amplify the
rewards one receives.
6. Moral Lessons: The
Surah is rich in moral guidance. The story of Prophet Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh
is a timeless lesson in humility versus arrogance. Pharaoh’s downfall, despite
his immense power, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and
the rejection of truth. On the other hand, Prophet Musa’s steadfastness, trust
in Allah, and humility exemplify the virtues that believers should aspire to.
The Surah, through its narratives, offers a moral compass, guiding believers on
how to navigate their lives in alignment with divine guidance.
Summary
of Surah an Naziat:
Surah an-Naziat: It speaks about Allah’s angels who
take the souls at the time of death. As Allah has power to take away the souls,
as He has created the whole universe, He also has the power to resurrect people
after their death. The story of Prophet Moses and Pharaoh is mentioned to warn
the people about the consequences of arrogant pride which leads to the denial
of the truth. In short An-Naziat delves into the theme of resurrection and the
Day of Judgment. It vividly portrays the scenes of the Day of Resurrection and
serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of one’s deeds.
In conclusion, the question of the disbelievers of
Makkah as to when the Resurrection will take place has been answered. They
asked the Prophet this question over and over again. In reply it has been said
that the knowledge of the time of its occurrence rests with Allah alone.
Supplication:
o
Lord! Gift us the calmness and tranquility
on that Great Day' in partition (purgatory) and in this world.
o
O Lord! No one can erase the troubles of
that Great Day, but by your Grace. Then, we seek your holy Grace.
o
O Lord! Lead us so that you put us among
those who fear your presence and restrain their soul from low desires and will
reside in eternal Heaven.
Researched & Compiled by:
OVAIS ASAD KHAN
