Overview - Surah 37: as-Saffat (Those Lined Up)

The Surah speaks about the oneness of Allah in very strong terms.  It talks about the teachings of various prophets of Allah. All of them preached the same message. It gives warnings to the non-believers that their plots against the message of Islam will not work. The truth will prevail.

Sections:

1. The Lord of the heaven and earth is one God. The mockers at the Prophet of God will one day see the truth. The Day of Judgment will dawn suddenly.
2. The guilty shall be punished and virtuous will be rewarded.
3. Allah delivered Prophet Noah from his enemies. Prophet Ibrahim's encounter with idolatry. The test of Prophet Ibrahim. His willingness to sacrifice his son.
4. How Allah delivered Prophets Moses, Aaron, Elias and Lot and punished their enemies.
5. How Prophet Yunus was delivered from the belly of the whale. Angels are not Allah's daughters; they are Allah's servants. Allah's messengers will succeed.

Surah as-Saffat takes its name from the first Ayat, وَالصَّافَّاتِ صَفًّا "By those lined up in rows." (37:1)

There are 182 Ayat in this Surah.

The Surah speaks about the oneness of Allah in very strong terms.  It talks about the teachings of various prophets of Allah. All of them preached the same message. It gives warnings to the non-believers that their plots against the message of Islam will not work. The truth will prevail.

Sections:

1. The Lord of the heaven and earth is one God. The mockers at the Prophet of God will one day see the truth. The Day of Judgment will dawn suddenly.
2. The guilty shall be punished and virtuous will be rewarded.
3. Allah delivered Prophet Noah from his enemies. Prophet Ibrahim's encounter with idolatry. The test of Prophet Ibrahim. His willingness to sacrifice his son.
4. How Allah delivered Prophets Moses, Aaron, Elias and Lot and punished their enemies.
5. How Prophet Yunus was delivered from the belly of the whale. Angels are not Allah's daughters; they are Allah's servants. Allah's messengers will succeed.

Surah as-Saffat takes its name from the first Ayat, وَالصَّافَّاتِ صَفًّا "By those lined up in rows." (37:1)

There are 182 Ayat in this Surah.

Theme 1: The honour of the Friends of Allah and the humiliation of the enemies of Allah.

The disbelievers of Makkah are warned of their mockery and derision to God’s message of Monotheism (Tawhid) and the Hereafter, and their refusal to acknowledge the Prophet. In the end they have been plainly warned that the Prophet, whom they are mocking and ridiculing, will overwhelm them in spite of their power and wealth and they will find the army of God encamping in the very courtyards of their houses (v. 171-179).

This notice was given at a time when there appeared to be no chance of success for the Prophets mission. The Muslims (who have been called God’s army in these verses) were under severe persecution. Three quarters of their population had already emigrated and hardly 40 to 50 of the Companions were left with the Prophet in Makkah, helplessly experiencing excessive persecution. Under such circumstances, no one would think that the Prophet and this mere handful of ill equipped companions would ultimately attain dominance. Rather, people thought that the new movement would be buried in the ravines of Makkah. Despite this, within hardly 15 to 16 years, the conquest of Makkah occurred, the precise thing which the disbelievers had been forewarned about.

Along with administering warnings, this Surah covers the themes of inducement and instruction in a balanced way. Brief but impressive arguments have been given about the validity of the doctrines of Monotheism and the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of the polytheist, showing the absurdity of their beliefs and the evil consequences of their deviations, contrasting this with the splendid results of faith and righteous acts.

The most instructive of the historical narratives presented in this Surah is from the important life of the Prophet Abraham, and the event where he was ready to sacrifice his only son after receiving inspiration from God. This was a lesson not only for the disbelieving Quraysh who were proud of their blood relationship to him but also for the Muslims. By narrating this event, they were shown the real spirit of Islam and how a true believer should be ready to sacrifice his all for the pleasure of God.

In these verses they were given glad tidings and told not be disheartened by their difficulties, for they would eventually attain power against the people of falsehood, who were dominant at the time. A few years later, the turn of events confirmed that this was not an empty promise but an inevitable reality, which had been foretold to strengthen their hearts.

Theme 1: The honour of the Friends of Allah and the humiliation of the enemies of Allah.

The disbelievers of Makkah are warned of their mockery and derision to God’s message of Monotheism (Tawhid) and the Hereafter, and their refusal to acknowledge the Prophet. In the end they have been plainly warned that the Prophet, whom they are mocking and ridiculing, will overwhelm them in spite of their power and wealth and they will find the army of God encamping in the very courtyards of their houses (v. 171-179).

This notice was given at a time when there appeared to be no chance of success for the Prophets mission. The Muslims (who have been called God’s army in these verses) were under severe persecution. Three quarters of their population had already emigrated and hardly 40 to 50 of the Companions were left with the Prophet in Makkah, helplessly experiencing excessive persecution. Under such circumstances, no one would think that the Prophet and this mere handful of ill equipped companions would ultimately attain dominance. Rather, people thought that the new movement would be buried in the ravines of Makkah. Despite this, within hardly 15 to 16 years, the conquest of Makkah occurred, the precise thing which the disbelievers had been forewarned about.

Along with administering warnings, this Surah covers the themes of inducement and instruction in a balanced way. Brief but impressive arguments have been given about the validity of the doctrines of Monotheism and the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of the polytheist, showing the absurdity of their beliefs and the evil consequences of their deviations, contrasting this with the splendid results of faith and righteous acts.

The most instructive of the historical narratives presented in this Surah is from the important life of the Prophet Abraham, and the event where he was ready to sacrifice his only son after receiving inspiration from God. This was a lesson not only for the disbelieving Quraysh who were proud of their blood relationship to him but also for the Muslims. By narrating this event, they were shown the real spirit of Islam and how a true believer should be ready to sacrifice his all for the pleasure of God.

In these verses they were given glad tidings and told not be disheartened by their difficulties, for they would eventually attain power against the people of falsehood, who were dominant at the time. A few years later, the turn of events confirmed that this was not an empty promise but an inevitable reality, which had been foretold to strengthen their hearts.

• Arranged in rows - وَالصَّافَّاتِ صَفًّا "By those lined up in rows" (37:1)
  وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ "And indeed, we are those who line up." (37:165)

• Arranged in rows - وَالصَّافَّاتِ صَفًّا "By those lined up in rows" (37:1)
  وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ الصَّافُّونَ "And indeed, we are those who line up." (37:165)

• Those chosen by Allah. In Surah as-Saffat, Allah repeats  إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّـهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ  "except the chosen servants of Allah." (37:40) (37:74) (37:128) (37:160) (37:169). In Surah Sad, Allah mentions a quality He gives to His chosen ones - remembrance of the Afterlife - إِنَّا أَخْلَصْنَاهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ "Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter]." (38:46)
• The connection between the beginning of Surat Sad and the end of As-Saffat is clear. The ending of Surat As-Saffat contains a warning to the disbelievers of defeat in the world and punishmnet in the hereafter: "Then for Our punishment are they impatient?" (37:176) "But when it descends in their territory, then evil is the warning of those who were warned" (37:177) "And leave them for a time" (37:178) "And see for they are going to see." (37:179). In the beginning of Surat Sad, Allah relates the punishment of the previous nations that denied the message. Their regret was of no avail to them when they regretted: "How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape." (38:3).

• Those chosen by Allah. In Surah as-Saffat, Allah repeats  إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّـهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ  "except the chosen servants of Allah." (37:40) (37:74) (37:128) (37:160) (37:169). In Surah Sad, Allah mentions a quality He gives to His chosen ones - remembrance of the Afterlife - إِنَّا أَخْلَصْنَاهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ "Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter]." (38:46)
• The connection between the beginning of Surat Sad and the end of As-Saffat is clear. The ending of Surat As-Saffat contains a warning to the disbelievers of defeat in the world and punishmnet in the hereafter: "Then for Our punishment are they impatient?" (37:176) "But when it descends in their territory, then evil is the warning of those who were warned" (37:177) "And leave them for a time" (37:178) "And see for they are going to see." (37:179). In the beginning of Surat Sad, Allah relates the punishment of the previous nations that denied the message. Their regret was of no avail to them when they regretted: "How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape." (38:3).

• The Prophet Ilyas is only mentioned in this Surah and in Surah al-An'am.

• The Prophet Ilyas is only mentioned in this Surah and in Surah al-An'am.

• The word سَلَامٌ 'Salam' has been repeatedley used in the Surah - upon Nuh (37:79) Ibrahim (37:109) Musa and Haroon (37:120) Ilyas (37:30) - Messengers (37:181)
• Following phrases have been repeated:
  إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ "Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good." (37:131) (37:80) (37:110) (37:121)
  إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ "Indeed, he was of Our believing servants." (37:132) (37:81) (37:111) (37:122)
   إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّـهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ "But not the chosen servants of Allah." (37:40) (37:74) (37:128) (37:160) (37:169)
• (37:102) is the longest Ayat of this Surah with
  
   فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast." (37:102)

• The word سَلَامٌ 'Salam' has been repeatedley used in the Surah - upon Nuh (37:79) Ibrahim (37:109) Musa and Haroon (37:120) Ilyas (37:30) - Messengers (37:181)
• Following phrases have been repeated:
  إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ "Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good." (37:131) (37:80) (37:110) (37:121)
  إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ "Indeed, he was of Our believing servants." (37:132) (37:81) (37:111) (37:122)
   إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّـهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ "But not the chosen servants of Allah." (37:40) (37:74) (37:128) (37:160) (37:169)
• (37:102) is the longest Ayat of this Surah with
  
   فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّـهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast." (37:102)

The subject matter shows that this Surah was probably sent down in the middle or last stage of the middle Makkan period. The style highlights the raging antagonism and the difficult and discouraging circumstances faced by the Prophet and his companions.

The subject matter shows that this Surah was probably sent down in the middle or last stage of the middle Makkan period. The style highlights the raging antagonism and the difficult and discouraging circumstances faced by the Prophet and his companions.

• The terms Mukhliseen [purely sincere], Muhsineen [strivers of excellence] and Mu'mineen [Believers] are repeated:
  Mukhliseen [purely sincere] - (37:40), (37:74), (37:128), (37:160) and (37:169)
  Muhsineen [strivers of excellence] - (37:80), (37:105), (37:110), (37:110), (37:121) and (37:131)
  Mu'mineen [Believers] - (37:81), (37:111), (37:122) and (37:132)  
• Allah Himself testifies that your God is one and the shaitans do not have any access to the exalted assembly of angels.
• Life in the hereafter and the Day of Judgement are real.
• Scenes from the Day of Judgement:
• Dialogue between the followers and the leaders who mislead them.
• A view from the scenes of Paradise.
• An sample of conversation between the residents of Paradise.
• A view from the scenes of Hell.
• Prayer of the Prophet Nuh and Allah's response.
• The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim:
• He questioned his people for worshipping idols.
• His people threw him in the furnace, but Allah saved him.
• He prayed for a son and Allah granted him a son.
• Allah tested by asking him to offer the sacrifice of his only son and he passed the test.
• Risalat (Prophethood) of Musa, Haroon, Ilyas and Lut, peace be upon them all.
• Story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah).
• Allah has promised to help His Rasools and His devotees.
• The dream of a Prophet is revelation, albeit a command or news (37:102)
• The story of Ibrahim and the dream of him sacrificing his son is an demonstration that the Prophet's are tested the most.
• Ibrahim was tested to see who does he love more; the love for his son or his of Allah.

• The terms Mukhliseen [purely sincere], Muhsineen [strivers of excellence] and Mu'mineen [Believers] are repeated:
  Mukhliseen [purely sincere] - (37:40), (37:74), (37:128), (37:160) and (37:169)
  Muhsineen [strivers of excellence] - (37:80), (37:105), (37:110), (37:110), (37:121) and (37:131)
  Mu'mineen [Believers] - (37:81), (37:111), (37:122) and (37:132)  
• Allah Himself testifies that your God is one and the shaitans do not have any access to the exalted assembly of angels.
• Life in the hereafter and the Day of Judgement are real.
• Scenes from the Day of Judgement:
• Dialogue between the followers and the leaders who mislead them.
• A view from the scenes of Paradise.
• An sample of conversation between the residents of Paradise.
• A view from the scenes of Hell.
• Prayer of the Prophet Nuh and Allah's response.
• The Story of the Prophet Ibrahim:
• He questioned his people for worshipping idols.
• His people threw him in the furnace, but Allah saved him.
• He prayed for a son and Allah granted him a son.
• Allah tested by asking him to offer the sacrifice of his only son and he passed the test.
• Risalat (Prophethood) of Musa, Haroon, Ilyas and Lut, peace be upon them all.
• Story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah).
• Allah has promised to help His Rasools and His devotees.
• The dream of a Prophet is revelation, albeit a command or news (37:102)
• The story of Ibrahim and the dream of him sacrificing his son is an demonstration that the Prophet's are tested the most.
• Ibrahim was tested to see who does he love more; the love for his son or his of Allah.

• Surah 37. As-Saffat - Saad al Ghamidi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka0OwlR99oY&index=37&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
• Surah 37. As-Saffat Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuI6eKSb81M&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=37
• Surah 37. As-Saffat Muhammad Al Luhaydan  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7ByDvWNauU&index=37&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe​​
• Idris Akbar Surah As-Saffat  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooxo80iYvQk
• Surah 37. As-Saffat  Muhammad Minshawi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHKr1SvGgxw&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=37​