By the [angels] ranged in ranks, who rebuke reproachfully and recite God’s word most certainly your God is One, Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them, Lord of all the points of sunrise. (Verses 1-5)

The sūrah begins by mentioning three groups of people, identifying what they do.

The first description may mean that they range themselves in rows as they pray, or range their wings, awaiting God’s commands. The second group rebukes whoever deserves rebuke, perhaps at the time when the angels gather their souls when they die, or at the time of resurrection, or when they are driven into hell, or in any position or situation. The third group recite God’s word, which may be the Qur’ān or other scriptures or they may recite glorifications of God. They are mentioned in the form of an oath made by God confirming His oneness: “Your God is One.” (Verse 4)

As we have already stated, the occasion here is the mention of the superstition circulated in ignorant Arabia alleging that the angels were God’s daughters, and as such, they too were deities.

God then mentions to His servants something about Himself that is suited to the truth of His oneness: He is the “Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them, Lord of all the points of sunrise.” (Verse 5) The heavens and the earth stand before us, speaking to us about the Creator who controls everything in this universe. No one else claims the ability to create and control the universe, and no one can deny that the One who created the universe is the true Lord who has absolute power. He also created and controls “everything between them,” including the air, clouds, light, as well as tiny little creatures which man comes to know from time to time, but much more remains unknown to man. It is impossible to look with an alert mind at the heavens and the earth and what is between them without being profoundly affected by the greatness, accuracy, variety, beauty, harmony and coherence between all these creatures. Only a dead heart can look at them without genuine interaction.

“Lord of all points of sunrise.” (Verse 5) The translation of this verse is far from adequate, as the verse not only refers to the rising of the sun, but of every star and planet. Each has its time and point of rising. Therefore, the number of such points in all the corners of the universe is beyond imagination. At the same time, the phrase refers to the fact that as the earth turns round the sun, every point of it has its own sunrise, and its point of sunset. Whenever a point of earth is facing the sun, it has its sunrise, and the opposite point on the surface of the earth has its sunset. People did not know this at the time of the revelation of the Qur’ān, but God told them about it.

This precise system that makes such successive sunrises over the earth, and the splendid beauty that so permeates our planet beckons us to reflect on the superb beauty of God’s creation and to believe in His oneness. How could such beauty, accuracy and consistency have been achieved unless the Maker is One?

The Prophet is then instructed to question them about whether they considered their own creation to be more difficult or the creation of the heavens, earth and all creation in the universe? If they agree that man’s creation is less difficult, why should they then disbelieve in resurrection, meeting it with derision and considering it impossible, when it is nothing compared to creating the universe?

Now ask those [unbelievers]: Are they more difficult to create, or the other beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay. Whereas you marvel, they scoff and when they are reminded of the truth, they pay no heed; and when they see a sign, they resort to ridicule; and say: ‘This is nothing but plain sorcery. What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we be raised back to life? And perhaps our forefathers?’ (Verses 11-17)

The other created beings in this respect include the angels, heavens, the earth and all between them, the jinn, stars, planets and piercing flames. They acknowledge that these are created by God. No answer, however, is expected to the question. This is simply a rhetorical device inviting amazement at their lack of understanding of what is around them. It derides the way they look at things. Leaving the question unanswered, the sūrah shows them the substance from which they were created in the first place: it is soft, sticky clay made of material from this earth, which is itself one of God’s creatures: “Them have We created out of a sticky clay.” (Verse 11) It is abundantly clear then that they are not the more difficult to create. Hence, their making fun of God’s signs and His promise to bring them back to life is nothing less than absurd.

Their attitude makes the Prophet wonder: “Whereas you marvel, they scoff and when they are reminded of the truth, they pay no heed; and when they see a sign, they resort to ridicule.” (Verses 12-14) It is only right that the Prophet should wonder at them. A believer who recognizes God with all his faculties as Muĥammad (peace be upon him) did, and who sees in full clarity the numerous signs in the universe pointing to Him, is bound to wonder and marvel at how people can remain oblivious to them. In short, how can they adopt such an attitude?

As the Prophet looked at them with amazement, they continued ridiculing the Al-Şāffāt (Ranged in Ranks) | WILL Y OU HAVE A LOOK ?

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truth he presented to them, speaking of God’s oneness and their own resurrection.

They preferred to remain blind, with their hearts sealed. Hence they scoffed at God’s revelations and signs, wondered at the Prophet who presented these to them and made that the material for further ridicule. Part of this was how they described the Qur’ān: “This is nothing but plain sorcery. What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we be raised back to life? And perhaps our forefathers?” (Verses 15-17)

They are oblivious to everything around them that reminds them of God’s power and ability, claiming that He would not return them to life after they and their forefathers had died and perished. Yet such return is nothing to marvel at, if we would only look at the universe around us and see what God has created.