Blueprint for the Tafseer of Surah Al-Mursalat (The
Emissaries) - Chapter 77 of the Holy Qur’an
1. Key Points to Explore
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Introduction to Surah Al-Mursalat
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Makkan surah, revealed in the early period of Islam.
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The name Al-Mursalat means "The Emissaries" (winds or angels sent forth).
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Discusses the certainty of the Last Day and divine justice.
o
Repeated phrase: "Woe on that Day to the deniers!" ( َ‫ )فَ َو ْي ٌل يَ ْو َمئِ ٍذ ل ِْل ُمك َِذبِين‬appears ten times.
Main Themes
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The power of Allah’s decree through natural forces (winds, storms, angels).
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The reality of Resurrection and accountability.
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The fate of believers and disbelievers on the Day of Judgment.
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Proofs of divine wisdom in the universe and human creation.
2. Tafseer (Classical Explanation Based on Authentic Sources)
Verses 1-7: The Swearing by the Emissaries
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Allah swears by different stages of winds or angels:
o
‫ت ع ُْر ًفا‬
ِ ‫س ََل‬
َ ‫ – ا ْل ُم ْر‬The winds sent forth gently (or angels delivering divine messages).
o
‫صفًا‬
َ ‫ت‬
ْ ‫ع‬
ِ ‫اصفَا‬
ِ َ‫ – َفا ْلع‬The winds that blow violently (or angels enforcing divine command).
o
‫ت نَش ًْرا‬
ِ ‫ – َوالنَّاش َِرا‬The winds that scatter things (or angels spreading revelation).
o
‫ت َف ْر ًقا‬
ِ ‫ – َفا ْلفَ ِار َقا‬Those who separate good from evil (divine wisdom and judgment).
o
‫ت ِذك ًْرا‬
ِ ‫ – َفا ْل ُم ْل ِقيَا‬Those who deliver divine reminders (angels bringing revelation).
o
These are signs of Allah’s order in creation and preparation for the Day of Judgment.
Verses 8-15: The Reality of the Day of Judgment
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The cosmic events before the Last Day:
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The sky will be shaking violently.
The mountains will be blown away.
The Messengers will be gathered for judgment.
The Day of Decision is inevitable, reminding us of the consequences of denial.
Verses 16-28: The Fate of the Disbelievers
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Repetition of “Woe on that Day to the deniers” as a severe warning.
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Mentions the fate of previous nations (Nations of Nuh, Ad, Thamud) who rejected the truth and
faced divine punishment.
Verses 29-40: Proofs from Human Creation
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The stages of human life as proof of resurrection:
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Created from an insignificant fluid (semen).
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Placed in a secure place (womb).
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Designed in precise proportions.
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Proof that Allah can resurrect humans just as He created them.
Verses 41-50: The Rewards for the Righteous and the Punishment for the Wicked
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Contrast between Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hellfire):
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The righteous will be in a blissful garden with cool shade and abundant provision.
o
The disbelievers will be told to go towards the blazing fire.
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Final question: "What other message will they believe in after this?" – A challenge to
those who reject the Qur’an.
3. Modern Scholars’ Tafseer
Nouman Ali Khan’s Explanation
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Style of the Surah: Uses rapid imagery and repetition for emphasis.
Surah focuses on:
o Allah’s power through the forces of nature.
o The inevitable accountability on the Last Day.
o The arrogance of those who deny the truth.
Linguistic insights:
o The word ‫ت‬
ِ ‫س ََل‬
َ ‫( ُم ْر‬Mursalat) refers to those who are sent forward with purpose.
ً
o ‫( ع ُْرفا‬Urfan) means something well-known, like the waves of wind that bring comfort or
angels that bring mercy.
Connection with modern life:
o People often deny consequences until it’s too late (e.g., climate change, health, morality).
o Just like people ignore warning signs in life, they ignore the warnings of the Qur’an.
4. Simple Translation for Beginners
1. By the winds that are sent gently one after another,
2. By the winds that blow fiercely,
3. By the winds that scatter things everywhere,
4. By those that bring down reminders (from Allah),
5. To excuse or to warn—
6. Surely, what you are promised will happen!
7. When the stars lose their light,
8. When the sky is torn apart,
9. When the mountains crumble into dust,
10. And when the messengers are brought forward,
11. This is the Day of Decision!
12. What will make you understand what the Day of Decision is?
13. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
14. Did We not destroy the earlier generations?
15. Then We made the later ones follow them.
16. This is how We deal with the wicked.
17. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
18. Did We not create you from a humble fluid?
19. Then We placed it in a secure place.
20. For a known period of time.
21. We measured it precisely, and We are the best to measure.
22. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
23. Have We not made the earth a resting place?
24. For the living and the dead?
25. And placed firm mountains on it, and gave you fresh water to drink?
26. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
27. Proceed to that which you used to deny!
28. Proceed to the shadow of smoke with three columns.
29. It provides no shade nor protection from the flames.
30. It shoots sparks as big as castles.
31. Like yellow camels in color.
32. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
33. This is the Day when they will not be able to speak.
34. Nor will they be given permission to offer excuses.
35. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
36. This is the Day of Decision! We have gathered you and previous generations.
37. So, if you have any schemes, go ahead and try them!
38. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
39. The righteous will be in cool shade and flowing springs.
40. Enjoying whatever they desire.
41. Eat and drink in satisfaction with what you used to do!
42. This is how We reward the good doers.
43. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
44. So, what other message will they believe in after this?
45. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
46. This is the final warning for them.
47. When they are told to bow, they refuse.
48. Woe on that Day to those who deny the truth!
49. In what other message will they believe?
50. The truth has been conveyed; now it is up to them.