وَٱلْمُرْسَلَـٰتِ عُرْفًا 1
Translations
By those [winds] sent forth in gusts
Transliteration
Wal-mursalati 'urfa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Mursalat swears an oath by the angels (or winds) that are sent forth in succession with gentleness and order. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret 'al-mursalat' as the angels sent with divine messages, while 'urfa (in succession/gently) describes their continuous and orderly dispatch. Al-Tabari notes this oath establishes the certainty of the Day of Judgment, which is the surah's primary theme, as indicated by the repeated refrain 'Wail to the deniers on that Day.'
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mursalat is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from the Quraysh who denied the resurrection and final judgment. This opening oath serves to powerfully affirm divine justice and the inevitability of accountability, addressing the concerns of believers and warning the deniers of the consequences of rejection.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly explicates this ayah, Surah Al-Mursalat's emphasis on the Day of Judgment aligns with numerous ahadith about the resurrection, such as the lengthy hadith in Sahih Muslim (2286) where the Prophet describes the Day of Judgment in detail, affirming what the surah repeatedly emphasizes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's system operates with perfect order and gentleness, and that the angels carrying divine will work continuously in our behalf, encouraging us to trust in Divine wisdom and prepare for the Day of Judgment through righteous conduct.