Meaning of Quran

Al-Mursalat | The Emissaries

With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

[77:1] (I swear) by those (winds) that are sent one after the other,

[77:2] and by those that blow violently,

[77:3] and by those that spread (clouds) all over,

[77:4] and by those (angels) who differentiate (between right and wrong) distinctly,

[77:5] then bring down the advice,

[77:6] leaving no excuse (for the disbelievers) or giving warnings,

[77:7] that which you are promised is sure to happen.

[77:8] So, when the stars will be extinguished,

[77:9] and when the sky will be split,

[77:10] and when the mountains will be blown away as dust,

[77:11] and when the messengers will be assembled at the appointed time, (then all matters will be decided.)

[77:12] (Do you know) for which day has all this been delayed?

[77:13] For the Day of Decision!

[77:14] And what may let you know what the Day of Decision is?

[77:15] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:16] Did We not destroy the earlier people?

[77:17] Then We will cause the later ones to follow them.

[77:18] Thus We deal with the guilty people.

[77:19] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:20] Did We not create you from a worthless fluid?

[77:21] Then We put it in a firm place of rest

[77:22] for a known period.

[77:23] Thus We did (all this with perfect) measure; so We are the best to measure.

[77:24] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:25] Did We not make the earth a container that collects

[77:26] the living and the dead?

[77:27] And We placed towering mountains therein, and provided you with sweet water to drink.

[77:28] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:29] (It will be said to them on that day,) ‘Push on to what you used to deny.

[77:30] Push onto a canopy (of Hell‘s smoke) having three branches,

[77:31]
that neither has a comfortable shade, nor is it of any use against the scorching heat.

[77:32] It emits sparks (as huge) as castles,

[77:33] as if they were yellowish camels’.

[77:34] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:35] This is the day when they will not speak,

[77:36] nor will they be allowed to offer excuses.

[77:37] Woe that Day to the deniers!

 [77:38] (It will be said to them,) ‘This is the Day of Decision. We have assembled you and the earlier ones together.

[77:39] Now, if you have a trick, use the trick against Me’.

[77:40] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:41] Of course, the God-fearing will be amid shades and streams,

[77:42] and fruits of their desire.

[77:43] It will be said to them, ‘Eat and drink with pleasure because of what you used to do’.

[77:44] This is how We reward those who do good deeds.

[77:45] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:46] ‘(O disbelievers,) eat and drink for a while! You are guilty ones’.

[77:47] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:48] And when it is said to them, ‘Bow down (i.e. submit to Allah‘s commands)’, they do not bow down.

[77:49] Woe that Day to the deniers!

[77:50] Now, in which discourse, after this, will they believe?

Tafsir

Overview of Surah Al-Mursalat

  1. Title and Position: Surah Al-Mursalat is the 77th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Mursalat” translates to “The Emissaries,” referring to the various forces or angels sent forth by God for specific purposes, as described in the surah.
  2. Verses and Structure: This surah contains 50 verses. It is known for its apocalyptic and warning tone, emphasizing the reality of the Day of Judgment and the consequences for those who deny the truth.
  3. Themes and Messages: Major themes include the certainty of the Day of Judgment, the process of revelation, the natural phenomena serving as signs of God’s power, and the fate of previous nations who rejected their prophets.
  4. Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Mursalat is significant for its vivid portrayal of the end times, its call to reflect on the natural world as evidence of God’s majesty, and its warning to those who disregard the divine message.

Detailed Explanation

  1. The Emissaries: The surah begins by swearing by the emissaries, interpreted as winds, angels, or divine decrees, emphasizing their role in the cosmic order and their function as instruments of God’s will.
  2. Warning of the Day of Judgment: It vividly describes the events of the Day of Judgment, portraying the upheaval in the natural world and the profound impact on humanity, urging people to take heed.
  3. Denial and Consequences: The surah addresses the denial of the disbelievers, their arguments against the prophets, and the ultimate consequences of their rejection, drawing parallels with the fate of earlier communities.
  4. Reflection on Creation: It invites reflection on the natural world, from the winds to the creation of humans, as signs of God’s power and as evidence for the truth of the message being delivered.
  5. Moral Accountability: The surah emphasizes moral accountability, highlighting the distinction between the righteous and the wicked on the Day of Judgment and the respective outcomes for each.

FAQs

  1. Why is Surah Al-Mursalat named “The Emissaries”?
    • The surah is named “Al-Mursalat” due to its reference to the emissaries, which symbolize the various forces or entities dispatched by God to fulfill divine commands, serving as a reminder of God’s control over the universe.
  2. How does Surah Al-Mursalat describe the Day of Judgment?
    • It describes the Day of Judgment as a moment of great upheaval and transformation, where the existing order is overturned, and every soul is evaluated based on its deeds, with vivid imagery to convey the seriousness of this day.
  3. What lessons can be learned from the fate of previous nations mentioned in the surah?
    • The surah teaches that rejecting divine guidance leads to ruin, emphasizing the importance of heeding the warnings of prophets and the Quran, and reflecting on history as a means to grasp the consequences of denial.
  4. How does the surah encourage reflection on the natural world?
    • It points to various natural phenomena as signs of God’s majesty and power, encouraging individuals to ponder these as evidence of the divine origin of the universe and the message of the Quran.

Read more