فَٱلْفَـٰرِقَـٰتِ فَرْقًا 4
Translations
And those [angels] who bring criterion
Transliteration
Fal-fāriqāti farqā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the angels who are sent as messengers to separate truth from falsehood, or to divide and distribute divine commands and sustenance among creation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'separators' (al-fāriqāt) are the angels tasked with various missions, and 'farqā' emphasizes the manner of their separation or distinction in fulfilling their duties. This ayah establishes the function of these divine messengers in maintaining cosmic and moral order.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mursalat's opening, which begins with a series of oaths by Allah regarding different categories of angels and their roles. The surah was revealed in Mecca and addresses the disbelievers' denial of resurrection and divine judgment by emphasizing the constant activity of God's messengers (angels) in the universe.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Surah Al-Mursalat's theme connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (ﷺ) described the angels' roles in divine administration: 'There are angels in charge of the mountains, and others in charge of the seas.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah has appointed unseen forces (angels) to maintain order in the universe and distinguish between truth and falsehood, encouraging believers to trust in Divine wisdom and remain steadfast in their faith despite worldly chaos.