Tafseer of Those who drag forth · An-Naazi'aat · 79:4
And those who race each other in a race
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And His saying: فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا "And by those who race forward in a contest" (79:4). The exegetes have differed concerning this. Some said: They are the angels.
* Mention of who said this:
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of ʿAbdallāh ibn Abī Najīḥ, on the authority of Mujāhid, concerning فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا , he said: The angels.
And this report Abū Kurayb related to us, saying: Wakīʿ related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of Ibn Abī Najīḥ, on the authority of Mujāhid, concerning فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا , he said: Death.
And others said: No, they are the horses that race ahead.
* Mention of who said this:
Abū Kurayb related to us, saying: Wakīʿ related to us, on the authority of Wāṣil ibn al-Sāʾib, on the authority of ʿAṭāʾ, concerning فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا , he said: The horses.
And others said: No, they are the stars, one of which outstrips the other in its course.
* Mention of who said this:
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning فَالسَّابِقَاتِ سَبْقًا , he said: They are the stars.
Ibn ʿAbd al-Aʿlā related to us, saying: Ibn Thawr related to us, on the authority of Maʿmar, on the authority of Qatāda, the same.
And our opinion concerning this is the same as our opinion concerning the remaining preceding passages.
