Overview

SURAH 77 Al-Mursalat (Sent Forth)

Prologue

This surah bears sharp features, powerful images and strong notes. Indeed, it sounds like a spitting fire. It puts hearts to trial, presenting questions and threats that pierce like sharp arrows. We see a host of images from both this life and the life to come, the universe and the human soul, as well as scenes of the suffering that unbelievers will endure. After each main scene, the sit rah levels a fire-like strike at those hearts who deny the truth, saying: "Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." This comment is repeated ten times in this surah alone, as it is the final note deployed in each of its sections. It is an especially apt comment, given its sharp features and strong beat. In this respect, it reminds us of Sarah 55, The Lord of Grace, where the same verse is repeated after the mention of every aspect of blessing: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" Likewise, in Sarah 54, The Moon, the same comment is used after every image of punishment is drawn: "How grievous was My punishment and how true were My warnings." The verse repeated in this surah, as in other surahs, serves to give its distinctively sharp tone.

The surah is composed of sections with short, quick verses. It changes its rhyme with each section, although some rhyming sounds are picked up again after they have been changed. All these sections, rhymes and short verses are sharply felt, one after the other. One hardly recovers after one sharp note when a new one begins. Right from the outset, the general atmosphere is tempestuous, starting with a scene of strong winds, or angels: "By those sent forth in swift succession; and those tempestuously storming on; and those scattering far and wide; and those separating [right and wrong] with all clarity; and those giving a reminder, with an excuse and a warning." (Verses 1-6) This opening is perfectly consistent with the ambience of the surah.

The Qur'an is extraordinary in the way in which it uses particular frameworks to enhance the atmosphere of certain surahs. In Surah 93, The Morning Hours, which speaks about God's care and kindness, the framework is drawn from the bright morning hours and still nights. In Surah 100, The Coursers, which depicts the scattering of grave contents and the gathering of what is in people's breasts, we have a framework drawn from snorting horses striking sparks of fire. Further examples could be given in plenty.

Each of the ten sections that follow the opening of the surah represents a special round or a journey into a different world. This gives the surah great scope for reflection, feeling, ideas and responses. This scope is also much wider than the words and sentences imply.

The first round paints scenes from the day of distinction, showing the great upheaval that will take place in the universe. This is the appointment defined by God's messengers to mankind: "When the stars are dimmed, and the sky is rent asunder, and the mountains are scattered like dust, and the messengers are given their appointed time... For what day has all this been set? For the day of distinction. Would that you knew what the day of distinction is! Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 8-15)

The second round refers to the fates suffered by communities of olden times, highlighting the divine law that applies to those who deny the divine message: "Did We not destroy those people of old? We shall certainly cause later ones to follow them. Than do We deal with the guilty. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 16-19)

Round three takes us to the origins of man and the impression they give of God's overall planning: "Have We not created you from a humble fluid, placing it in a safe lodging for a pre-determined term? Thus have We determined• excellent indeed is how We determine. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 20-24)

In the fourth round we see how the earth, which takes its children, living or dead, to its bosom, has been equipped with the facility of stable life and with water that is necessary for life: "Have We not made the earth an abode for the living and the dead? We have placed on it firm, lofty mountains and provided you with fresh water to drink. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 25-28)

The fifth round speaks of those who reject the divine message and how they are received with strong rebuke, as well as their impending punishment, on the day of distinction: "Go to that which you used to deny! Go to a shadow rising in three columns; giving no shade, nor relief from the flame. It throws up sparks as huge as forts, as bright as yellow camels. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 29-34)

The next two rounds continue with the unbelievers, adding further rebuke: "On that day they will not utter a word and they will not be allowed to offer any excuse. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. This is the day of distinction: We have gathered you with all those people of old. If you have a scheme left, then use it against Me now. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 35-40)

Round eight speaks of the God-fearing and the blessings prepared for them: "The God-fearing shall dwell amid cool shades and springs, and fruits as they may desire. Eat and drink to your hearts' content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 41-45)

The last two rounds provide quick glimpses of the people who are bent on denying God's message. The first reproaches them and the second shows them in obstinate rejection: "Eat and enjoy your life for a little while, for you are certainly guilty. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. When they are told to bow down before God, they do not bow down. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth." (Verses 46-49)

These rounds, their images and sharp notes conclude with a single verse asking: In what message, after this, will they believe?" (Verse 50)

The listener follows the quick rhythm of the surah feeling almost out of breath at its succession of images. The subject matter of the surah is covered in several other surahs, particularly Makkan ones. However, the Qur'an tackles the truth it presents from different angles, in different lights, and with different emphases according to the situations they face. Such approaches address hearts and souls as best suits them, according to their conditions known to the One who has revealed the Qur'an to His Messenger. They thus appear new with every new situation, because they produce new responses.

We see that this surah draws new images of hell, and takes a new approach in showing these images to unbelievers; in other words, it employs a new style of address. Thus, the surah acquires a distinctive character with intense features, sharp images and a rapid rhythm.

Overview

(Verses 1 - 7)

Enigmatic Beginning

By those sent forth in swift succession; and those tempestuously storming on; and those scattering far and wide; and those separating [right and wrong] with all clarity; and those giving a reminder, with an excuse and a warning, what you have been promised shall be fulfilled. (Verses 1-7)

The question here is that of the resurrection which the unbelievers found very hard to accept, yet the Qur'an confirms it time after time, in many surahs, and in various ways. It was especially necessary that the Qur'an take such care in establishing the truth of resurrection, this so that the faith can be properly established in people's minds and hearts and further that their standards and values could then be redefined. Belief in the Day of Judgement is the corner-stone of both the divine faith and human life. It is the pivot around which everything in life turns, and the criterion that judges all values and standards. Hence, establishing the truth of resurrection and subsequent reckoning and judgement needed such a sustained effort.

The surah begins with an oath by God that this promise of a life to come is certainly true. The way the oath is phrased suggests that that by which God swears belongs to the realm beyond our perception. It mentions some hidden forces that have a definite effect on the universe and on human life. Early scholars differed as to what these were: some said that they all refer to winds, and some said they refer to angels, while a third group said that some refer to winds and some to angels. It is clear, then, that these terms are ambiguous, which makes them best suited for an oath by God confirming an event which only He knows about. Just as these ambiguous things exist and have an effect on human life, this event belonging to the world beyond our perception will certainly take place.

"By those sent forth in swift succession." (Verse 1) Abu Hurayrah says that this is a reference to the angels. The same is reported to have been said by Masruq, Abu al-Duha, Mujahid (in one report), al-Suddi, al-Rabi ibn Anas and Abu Salih. Thus the verse means an oath by the angels that are sent forth in successive waves, like running horses. Abu Salih says that the next four verses also refer to the angels.

Ibn Mas'ud is reported to have said that 'those sent firth' refers to the wind, which means that winds are sent in succession like horses running. He is reported to have said that those `storming on' and 'scattering far and wide' [mentioned in the next two verses] also refer to the wind. This view is shared by Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid (in a second report), Qatadah and in another report by Abu Salih.

Ibn Jarir al-Tabari is uncertain whether 'those sent firth' mentioned in the first verse refers to the angels or to the wind, but he is certain that the stormers and scatterers are the winds. He explains that the winds scatter the clouds in the sky.

Ibn Mas'ud says that "those separating [right and wrong' with all clarity; and those giving a reminder, with an excuse and a warning," refer to the angels. This is also stated by Ibn `Abbas, Masruq, Mujahid, Qatadah, al-Rabi` ibn Anas, al-Suddi and al-Thawri. It is the angels that come down carrying God's orders to His messengers, separating right from wrong, and giving revelations to those messengers that contain justification and a warning to mankind.

We note that the ambiguity is intended to give these matters by which the oath is made a particularly awesome air. This is the same as in Surahs 51 and 79. The first of these begins with the oath: "By the winds that scatter far and wide." Surah 79 also starts with an ambiguous oath: "By those that pluck out vehemently." This ambiguity, evident in the differences of opinion about their meaning, is intended, because their very ambiguity combines with the quick rhythm employed in the opening of the sit- rah to produce a jolt or a shake in the listener or reader. This fits perfectly with the subject matter of the surah. In fact, every subsequent section delivers such a jolt. Thus the surah may be compared to someone in authority taking a person by the collar as he questions him about a misdeed or about his negation of something very obvious, then releasing him with a strong warning: "Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth."