An-Naazi'aat:2 - Wording

Question

AsSalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
In the first verse, it is وَالنَّازِعَاتِ غَرْقًا instead of وَالنَّازِعَاتِ نَزْعًا, and in the next verse, it is وَالنَّاشِطَاتِ نَشْطًا. Why are these two verses written differently?

Maani AI

Wa Alaikum Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

This is a beautiful question that highlights the precision of the Qur'anic wording. You've keenly observed the difference in how the actions are described: the first verse uses غَرْقًا `gharqan` with وَٱلنَّٰزِعَٰتِ (the ones who extract), while the second uses نَشْطًۭا `nashtan` with وَٱلنَّٰشِطَٰتِ (the ones who draw out gently). Both Ibn Ashur and al-Razi shed light on this.

According to the commentaries, the first verse, وَٱلنَّٰزِعَٰتِ غَرْقًۭا (by those who extract violently), refers to the angels who seize the souls of disbelievers with extreme harshness. The word غَرْقًۭا `gharqan` (from أغرق `aghraqa`, meaning to plunge deeply or to exert maximum effort) is used here to convey the *intensity* and *force* of this extraction. It suggests reaching the utmost extent, similar to how an archer might "fully draw" (`aghraqa`) a bowstring to its maximum tension before releasing an arrow. This word choice emphasizes the severity and difficulty of this type of soul-taking.

In contrast, the second verse, وَٱلنَّٰشِطَٰتِ نَشْطًۭا (and by those who draw out gently), describes the angels who take the souls of believers with ease and gentleness. The word نَشْطًۭا `nashtan` is the direct verbal noun, signifying a smooth, gentle pulling, much like drawing water from a well with ease. This choice of wording powerfully contrasts the two experiences, highlighting the difference in how souls are taken based on the person's faith and deeds.

So, the variation in wording is not arbitrary; rather, it's a deliberate choice to illustrate the differing nature and intensity of the angels' actions, corresponding to the fate of the souls they extract.

Source: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)

The commentaries also discuss how these five oaths (وَٱلنَّٰزِعَٰتِ غَرْقًۭا to فَٱلْمُدَبِّرَٰتِ أَمْرًۭا) function as a way to emphasize the truth of what follows, namely, the certainty of resurrection. Would you like to explore that aspect further?