فَٱلسَّـٰبِقَـٰتِ سَبْقًا 4
Translations
And those who race each other in a race
Transliteration
Fa-as-sabiqāti sabqā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the angels who race ahead in obedience to Allah's commands, described as those who 'overtake one another in succession.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as describing the angels' eagerness and speed in executing Allah's will, with some scholars noting this could also refer to the stars or celestial bodies that move swiftly across the sky. The phrase emphasizes the dynamic, responsive nature of creation in glorifying and serving Allah's purposes.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nazi'at is a Meccan surah that describes the Day of Judgment and various manifestations of Allah's power and majesty. This ayah appears within the opening oaths of the surah (verses 1-5), where Allah swears by different categories of angels and celestial phenomena as evidence of His complete control over all creation and the certainty of the resurrection.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Sahih Muslim contains narrations where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described angels' obedience and their swift execution of divine commands, emphasizing their perfect submission to Allah's orders.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us of the perfect obedience and responsiveness that even the highest creation (angels) display toward Allah's commands, inspiring us to strive for similar eagerness and dedication in fulfilling our spiritual obligations.