وَٱلنَّـٰزِعَـٰتِ غَرْقًا 1
Translations
By those [angels] who extract with violence
Transliteration
Wa al-Nazi'ati gharqa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah An-Nazi'at begins with an oath (qasam) by the angels who forcefully extract the souls of the deceased at death. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'al-Nazi'at gharqa' as the angels who pull out souls with force and intensity, emphasizing the power and certainty of death. The surah uses this vivid imagery to establish the reality of the Hereafter and divine judgment, transitioning into themes of resurrection and accountability.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nazi'at is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islamic preaching when the Quraysh were denying the resurrection. This opening establishes the certainty of death and the divine process governing it, setting the foundation for the surah's discussion of the Day of Judgment and the story of Musa and Pharaoh as a historical example of divine retribution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the angels of death: 'When the soul is taken out, the angels with it do not leave it, and it is placed in a shroud perfumed with camphor' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'The angel of death comes to the dying person and sits by his head' (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the absolute certainty of death and the divine order governing our existence, encouraging mindfulness of mortality and preparation for the Hereafter through righteous deeds and sincere devotion to Allah.