Surah An-Nazi'at 79:2
سُورَةُ النَّازِعَاتِ · Meccan · Verse 2 of 46
وَٱلنَّٰشِطَٰتِ نَشْطًۭا
Translation
raring to go,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, "وَٱلنَّٰشِطَٰتِ نَشْطًۭا" (and those who extract with ease), is part of a series of solemn oaths Allah takes at the beginning of Surah An-Nazi'at. These oaths are meant to underscore the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection, a central theme of the surah. Allah, the Speaker, addresses an audience that includes those who doubt the return to life, and the oaths establish profound truths for them.
The Gentle Extraction
The central word here is "الناشطات" (al-Nāshiṭāt) and its accompanying verbal noun "نشطا" (nashṭan). The root "نشط" (nashṭ) conveys a sense of ease, vigor, and gentle extraction. Unlike the forceful "نزع" (naza', withdrawal) mentioned in the preceding verse for disbelievers, scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi explain that "الناشطات نشطا" refers to the angels who take the souls of the *believers* with gentleness and eagerness. Imagine drawing a bucket from a well with ease and lightness, as al-Zamakhshari illustrates. This vivid imagery contrasts sharply with a violent, agonizing pull, highlighting a crucial distinction in the departure of souls.
Who Are "The Naashitat"?
While the most prominent interpretation, favored by many early scholars like Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ibn Abbas, and as reflected in al-Muyassar, refers to angels gently extracting the souls of the righteous, other scholarly insights offer additional layers. For instance, al-Razi suggests it could also describe stars moving through constellations with inherent ease, not by force, or even horses eagerly setting out for battle. Ibn Ashur notes that "الناشطات" can refer to any group or class of entities characterized by this kind of vigorous, easy movement. The feminine plural form "الناشطات" indicates groups or types of these entities, most commonly understood to be angels, but adaptable to other categories that display such movement.
Why This Wording Matters
The specific choice of "نشطا" (nashṭan), an emphatic verbal noun, emphasizes the completeness and truth of this gentle action. It's not just a casual or accidental ease, but an inherent quality of the action being described. This careful wording offers a profound reflection: for those who have lived in faith, the transition from this life is marked by divine mercy and gentleness. It suggests a journey that is not arduous but filled with grace, a beautiful promise for the believer facing the inevitable end of their worldly life.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
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