وَجَآءَ رَبُّكَ وَٱلْمَلَكُ صَفًّا صَفًّا 22
Translations
And your Lord has come and the angels, rank upon rank,
Transliteration
Wa jaa'a rabbuka wa al-malaku saffan saffan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Day of Judgment when Allah will come with the angels arranged in rows. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'coming' (majaa) refers to Allah's judgment and authority manifesting, not physical movement, as Allah transcends spatial limitations. The angels standing in rows signifies the grand assembly and solemnity of the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing the magnitude of that divine occasion.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Fajr's description of the Day of Judgment and Allah's justice. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period to warn the disbelievers about the certainty of the afterlife and divine accountability. This particular ayah serves as a powerful reminder of the eschatological reality that awaits all humanity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The Trumpet will be blown and whoever hears it will faint, and I will be the first to regain consciousness, and there I will see Moses holding one of the pillars of the Throne.' (Sahih Bukhari 3340). Additionally, 'On the Day of Resurrection, the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the Record will be placed, and the Prophets and witnesses will be brought forth.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) - thematically related to the gathering described.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah instills consciousness of divine accountability (taqwa) by reminding believers that Allah's judgment is inevitable and certain. It should motivate righteous conduct in this life, knowing that one will stand before Allah with all of creation as witnesses to one's deeds.