بِأَيْدِى سَفَرَةٍ 15
Translations
[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,
Transliteration
Bi-aydi safara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to the Qur'an being written and preserved 'by the hands of noble scribes' (the angels who record divine revelation). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that these 'safara' (scribes) are the righteous, honored angels responsible for transcribing and protecting the revelation from Allah. This affirms the divine preservation and authenticity of the Qur'an as a protected scripture.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah 'Abasa within the passage describing the characteristics and honor of the Qur'an (80:11-16). The surah opens with the Prophet's frown at a blind companion, then pivots to describe the Qur'an's noble status and divine safeguarding, emphasizing that while the Prophet may have been distracted by worldly concerns, the Qur'an itself remains pristine and honored in its preservation.
Related Hadiths
The concept of recording angels is referenced in Hadith Qudsi where Allah mentions the angels who write down deeds. Additionally, Sahih Muslim contains narrations about the scribes of revelation (katibu al-wahi) like Mu'awiyah and Zaid ibn Thabit, who physically wrote the Qur'an under the Prophet's direction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reassures believers that the Qur'an is preserved and protected by Allah through honored means, instilling confidence in its reliability. For modern readers, it emphasizes that sacred texts carry divine protection and dignity, encouraging reverence and careful transmission of Islamic knowledge.