Table Of Contents

Meet the Key Figures in Surah Naziat: Roles, Significance & Takeaways

This Character Compendium provides a definitive resource on the key archetypes and powerful symbols within Surah An-Nazi’at, the 79th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. A powerful Makkan Surah, its name, “Those Who Drag Forth,” is derived from its awe-inspiring opening oath sworn by the various categories of angels as they carry out their duties. This dramatic opening serves to affirm the absolute certainty of the Resurrection. The chapter powerfully recounts the concise but impactful story of Musa and the arrogant Pharaoh as a historical proof of the consequences of transgression. It culminates in a vivid depiction of the Day of Judgment and the final, stark separation between the two ultimate human archetypes: the one who feared the station of their Lord and the one who preferred the fleeting life of this world. Each character card delves into the specific portrayal of these figures and concepts, extracting the timeless lessons on the certainty of accountability, the nature of faith, and the reality of our final return.

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Al-Jahim (The Blazing Fire)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Jahim, The Blazing Fire, is one of the names of Hell. It connotes a fire of immense size and intensity. It is the abode of eternal punishment prepared for those who transgressed and preferred the life of this world.

Role in the Surah

The Blazing Fire is presented as the “refuge” or final abode for the one who transgressed. After the Great Cataclysm, when all deeds are remembered, the fates will be sealed. “So as for he who transgressed and preferred the life of the world, then indeed, Hellfire will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:37-39).

Personality & Attributes

Al-Jahim is the archetype of **inescapable, just, and eternal punishment**. It is “burrizat,” meaning it will be made manifest and brought forth for all to see. It is the ultimate and unavoidable consequence of choosing the path of transgression.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The punishment of the Hereafter is a real and severe reality for those who transgress.
• The Fire is a just recompense for those who preferred the fleeting pleasures of this world over the eternal reality of the next.
• The vivid descriptions of the punishment are a mercy from Allah, designed to warn humanity so they can avoid this terrible fate.

Supporting References

The Surah presents two and only two final destinations. Al-Jahim (The Blazing Fire) is the refuge for the transgressor. Al-Jannah (The Garden) is the refuge for the one who feared their Lord. The contrast is absolute and the choice is left to the individual in this life.

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Al-Jannah (The Garden)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Jannah, The Garden, is the Qur’anic term for Paradise, the eternal abode of bliss promised to the righteous. It is a place of perfect peace, security, and contentment, the ultimate reward for a life of piety.

Role in the Surah

The Garden is mentioned as the “refuge” or final abode for the one who lived a life of God-consciousness and self-restraint. It is the direct and blessed consequence of choosing the path of piety. “But as for he who feared the standing before his Lord and restrained the soul from [vain] desire, then indeed, Paradise will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:40-41).

Personality & Attributes

The Garden is the archetype of the **ultimate reward, divine promise, and perfect peace**. It is the true and final “ma’wa” (refuge, shelter, home) for the believer. It represents the state of absolute security and eternal bliss.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The promise of Paradise is the ultimate motivation for a life of piety, fear of God, and self-restraint.
• True and lasting success is not in the fleeting pleasures of this world, but in attaining the eternal refuge of the Garden.
• A believer should be inspired by this promise and strive to embody the qualities that make one worthy of such an honored end.

Supporting References

The Surah presents two and only two final destinations. Al-Jahim (The Blazing Fire) is the refuge for the transgressor. Al-Jannah (The Garden) is the refuge for the one who feared their Lord. The contrast is absolute and the choice is left to the individual in this life.

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Al-Kafirun (The Disbelievers)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Kafirun, the disbelievers, are those who reject the clear message of Allah and deny the truth of the Resurrection. In this Surah, they are the ones who ask with mockery about the timing of the Last Hour.

Role in the Surah

The disbelievers are the ones who are in a state of denial about the Resurrection, saying, “Will we indeed be returned to [our] former state? Even after we are crumbled bones?” (79:10-11). Their mockery is contrasted with the terrifying reality of that Day. They are also the ones who, at the end of the Surah, ask the Prophet when the Hour will be. Their ultimate fate is to be among those who transgressed and for whom the Blazing Fire is a refuge.

Personality & Attributes

The Disbelievers are characterized by their **arrogance, their mockery of the unseen, and their ultimate regret**. They are unable to comprehend the power of God to resurrect. Their questions are not sincere inquiries but are forms of denial. Their state on the Day of Judgment will be one of terror and humiliation.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Denial of the Hereafter is the cornerstone of disbelief.
• A believer should not be shaken by the mockery of the disbelievers, recognizing that their arguments are based on a limited and materialistic worldview.
• The ultimate fate of the disbelievers is one of profound and eternal loss.

Supporting References

Their statement, “That, then, would be a losing return,” is a statement of profound scorn. They are essentially saying that it would be a foolish and losing proposition to be brought back after death. The Surah shows that the true “losing return” is the one they will face in the Hellfire as a consequence of their denial.

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Allah (The Lord Most High)

Brief Biography / Background

Allah is the proper name for the One, True God. In this Surah, He is presented as the absolute Sovereign, the Creator, the one who commissions His prophets, and the ultimate Judge. He is referred to as the “Lord Most High.”

Role in the Surah

Allah is the ultimate authority and actor in the Surah. He is the one by whose angelic servants the opening oath is sworn. He is the one who speaks directly to Musa in the sacred valley of Tuwa. He is the Creator who made the heaven, the night, the day, and the earth. He is the ultimate authority to whom is the final return and judgment. He is the only one who has knowledge of the timing of the Hour.

Personality & Attributes

This Surah magnificently illustrates Allah’s attributes:

• Al-‘Aliyy (The Most High): Pharaoh’s arrogant claim to be the “lord most high” is a direct usurpation of this divine attribute.
• Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful): His power is seen in the creation of the cosmos and His punishment of Pharaoh.
• Al-Khaliq (The Creator): He is the masterful designer of the heaven and the earth.
• Al-Hakam (The Judge):** He is the one who will preside over the Great Cataclysm.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have a profound sense of awe for the majesty and power of Allah.
• The entire universe is a testament to His creative power and meticulous planning.
• The ultimate purpose of reflecting on His creation is to prepare for the Day when we will stand before Him for the final, just reckoning.

Supporting References

The Surah consistently grounds its claims in the reality of Allah’s power. It refutes the deniers of the Resurrection by pointing to the far greater creation of the heavens and the earth. The argument is simple and powerful: the one who built the vast and perfect sky can surely bring back the small and flawed human being.

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Al-Mudabbirat Amr (The Arrangers of Affairs)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Mudabbirat Amr, The Arrangers of Affairs, is the fifth and final category of angels by which Allah swears an oath at the beginning of the Surah. This refers to the angels who are tasked with administering and arranging the affairs of the universe by the command of their Lord.

Role in the Surah

The Arrangers of Affairs form the fifth and final part of the opening divine oath: “And those who arrange each matter…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:5). Their role is to be the final witness, representing the divine administration and the perfect and orderly implementation of God’s will in the world. They are the agents who ensure that the entire cosmic and earthly system functions according to the divine plan.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **perfect obedience, its precision, and its role in the divine administration**. They are the unseen agents who ensure that the plan of Allah is carried out with perfect order. They are the administrators of the divine decree.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should have faith that the affairs of the universe are not random, but are being actively and perfectly managed by the angels at Allah’s command.
• This should instill a sense of trust and peace in the heart of the believer, knowing that all matters are in the hands of a wise Lord and are administered by His obedient servants.
• The oath by these powerful angelic administrators gives ultimate weight to the declaration of the certainty of the Day of Resurrection.

Supporting References

This oath brings the opening section to a powerful climax. After swearing by the angels who take the souls and who travel with immense speed, Allah swears by the very angels who are the managers of His decree. The entire machinery of the universe and of the Hereafter is brought to bear as a witness to the truth that the Day of Judgment is an absolute and certain reality.

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An-Nashitat Nashta (The Angels who Gently Release)

Brief Biography / Background

An-Nashitat Nashta, Those Who Gently Release, is the second category of angels mentioned in the opening oath of the Surah. This is understood to refer to the angels who are tasked with taking the souls of the believers at the moment of death.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to form the second part of the divine oath that affirms the reality of the Resurrection. “By those who gently remove…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:2). Their action stands in stark and merciful contrast to the angels who “drag forth” the souls of the wicked.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **gentleness, its ease, and its mercy**. The word “nasht” implies the smooth and easy untying of a knot. This is a beautiful and comforting metaphor for the way the soul of a believer is gently and peacefully released from the bonds of the physical body.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The experience of death is not the same for everyone. A life of faith is rewarded with a gentle and peaceful death, administered by merciful angels.
• This should be a source of immense comfort and hope for the believer, removing the fear of a painful and agonizing end.
• The oath by these merciful angels adds weight and authority to the declaration of the certainty of the Day of Judgment.

Supporting References

The contrast between the first two oaths is profound. The first oath is by the angels who violently “drag forth” the souls of the disbelievers. The second is by the angels who gently “release” the souls of the believers. This establishes from the very beginning of the Surah the two divergent paths and the two divergent ends that await humanity.

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An-Nazi’at Gharqa (The Angels who Drag Forth)

Brief Biography / Background

An-Nazi’at Gharqa, Those Who Drag Forth Violently, are the first of the five powerful categories of angels by which Allah swears an oath at the beginning of the Surah, which gives the chapter its name. This is understood to refer to the angels who are tasked with taking the souls of the disbelievers at the moment of death.

Role in the Surah

The Angels who Drag Forth begin a majestic divine oath: “By those who extract with violence…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:1). Their role is to be the first witness in a series of proofs that build up to a declaration of a great truth. They represent the stern and powerful implementation of the divine decree at the moment of death for the wicked.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **violence, its power, and its sternness**. The word “gharqa” implies a drowning or a deep and forceful extraction. This is a terrifying and powerful metaphor for the agonizing way the soul of a disbeliever is torn from their body against its will.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The experience of death is not the same for everyone. A life of disbelief is met with a difficult and violent death, administered by stern angels.
• This should be a powerful deterrent from the path of disbelief.
• The oath by these powerful angels adds a sense of awe and terror to the declaration of the certainty of the Day of Judgment.

Supporting References

The contrast between this first oath and the second oath (by the angels who gently release) is a central lesson of the Surah. It establishes from the very beginning that a person’s conduct in this life has a direct and tangible effect on their experience of the very first stage of the Hereafter: the moment of death itself.

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The Arrogant Denier of the Resurrection

Brief Biography / Background

The Arrogant Denier of the Resurrection is the archetype of the disbeliever whose core intellectual and spiritual flaw is the rejection of the afterlife. They view death as the final end and mock the idea of being brought back from crumbled bones.

Role in the Surah

This character’s argument is quoted directly. They say, with scorn and disbelief: “Will we indeed be returned to [our] former state? Even after we are crumbled bones?’ They say, ‘That, then, would be a losing return!'” (An-Nazi’at, 79:10-12).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **materialism, its short-sightedness, and its arrogant dismissal of the unseen**. Their logic is limited to what they can physically observe. They cannot comprehend the power of God to bring life from death, and they mock the very idea as a “losing” proposition.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Denial of the Resurrection is a cornerstone of disbelief.
• A believer must have absolute certainty in the reality of being resurrected and being held accountable for their deeds.
• The Qur’an powerfully refutes their mockery by affirming that the Resurrection will require only a “single blast.”

Supporting References

The Surah’s response to their mockery is swift and decisive. It does not engage in a long debate, but simply states: “Indeed, it will be but one shout, and at once they will be awakened.” (79:13-14). This dismisses their complex doubts with the simple and overwhelming reality of the power of God’s command.

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Ar-Rajifah (The Tremor)

Brief Biography / Background

Ar-Rajifah, The Tremor or The Quake, is a name for the first blowing of the Trumpet. It is the great, cataclysmic blast that will cause the entire universe to tremble and all of creation to die. It is the beginning of the end.

Role in the Surah

The Tremor is mentioned as the event that will shake the hearts of the deniers and initiate the Day of Judgment. “On the Day the tremor quakes, there will follow it the subsequent [blast].” (An-Nazi’at, 79:6-7).

Personality & Attributes

The Tremor is the archetype of **cosmic upheaval and the great death**. It is characterized by its awesome and world-shattering power. It is the event that will shatter all illusions of worldly stability and security.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have firm faith in the reality of the cosmic events that will accompany the Day of Judgment.
• The stability of this world is temporary and will be replaced by a new and terrifying reality on the Last Day.
• This powerful image should instill in a believer a profound sense of awe and fear for the Day of Judgment.

Supporting References

The pairing of “Ar-Rajifah” (The Tremor) with “Ar-Radifah” (The Subsequent Blast) is a concise and powerful description of the two blows of the Trumpet. The first blast causes the great “tremor” and death, and the second blast is the “follower” that brings about the resurrection. It is a complete picture of the end and the new beginning.

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Ar-Radifah (The Subsequent Blast)

Brief Biography / Background

Ar-Radifah, The Subsequent Blast or The Follower, is a name for the second blowing of the Trumpet. It is the great blast that will follow the first tremor and will signal the resurrection of all of creation from their graves.

Role in the Surah

The Subsequent Blast is mentioned as the event that will immediately follow the first tremor, initiating the resurrection. “On the Day the tremor quakes, there will follow it the subsequent [blast].” (An-Nazi’at, 79:6-7).

Personality & Attributes

The Subsequent Blast is the archetype of **resurrection and the great awakening**. It is characterized by its role as the “follower,” the second part of a two-stage process. Its sound is the sound of the ultimate reality dawning upon all of creation, summoning them to the final reckoning.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Belief in the blowing of the Trumpet and the subsequent resurrection from the graves is a fundamental article of faith.
• The Resurrection will be a sudden and swift event, and all of humanity will be gathered without delay.
• A believer should live their life in preparation for the day they hear this call.

Supporting References

The pairing of “Ar-Rajifah” (The Tremor) with “Ar-Radifah” (The Subsequent Blast) is a concise and powerful description of the two blows of the Trumpet. The first blast causes the great “tremor” and death, and the second blast is the “follower” that brings about the resurrection. It is a complete picture of the end and the new beginning.

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As-Sabihat Sabha (The Angels who Glide)

Brief Biography / Background

As-Sabihat Sabha, Those Who Glide, is the third category of angels mentioned in the opening oath of the Surah. This is understood to refer to the angels who travel with immense speed and ease, as if swimming or gliding through the celestial realms to carry out their duties.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to form the third part of the divine oath that affirms the reality of the Resurrection. “By those who glide, gliding…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:3).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **speed, its grace, and its effortless movement**. The word “sabh” means to swim, which is a beautiful metaphor for their swift and unimpeded travel through the heavens. They are a testament to the power and the beauty of Allah’s creation.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should have faith in the unseen world of the angels and their powerful and swift nature.
• The oath by these gliding angels adds a sense of speed and grace to the opening of the Surah.
• This should instill in a believer a sense of awe for the dynamic and powerful nature of Allah’s dominion.

Supporting References

The opening oaths describe a sequence of angelic action. They forcefully take the souls of the wicked, gently release the souls of the righteous, and then glide with immense speed to their next appointed task. It is a picture of a powerful and efficient celestial workforce.

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As-Sabiqat Sabqa (The Angels who Race Ahead)

Brief Biography / Background

As-Sabiqat Sabqa, Those Who Race Ahead, is the fourth category of angels mentioned in the opening oath of the Surah. This is understood to refer to the angels who race to carry out the command of Allah, or who race ahead with the souls of the believers to their blissful abode in Paradise.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to form the fourth part of the divine oath that affirms the reality of the Resurrection. “And those who race each other in a race…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:4).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **eagerness, its speed, and its competitive spirit in doing good**. The word “sabaqa” means to race or to be foremost. This is a beautiful depiction of the angels not just as obedient servants, but as eager and zealous servants who race to fulfill the will of their Lord.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should emulate the angels and have a sense of righteous competition (*musabaqah*) in performing good deeds.
• The Qur’an frequently encourages believers to “race” towards forgiveness and Paradise. This verse shows that this is an angelic quality.
• The eagerness of the angels to carry out God’s command is a testament to their love and their perfect submission.

Supporting References

The image of the angels racing is a powerful one. It stands in stark contrast to the laziness and procrastination of the heedless human being. The angels are a model of proactive and zealous servitude, a quality that every believer should aspire to.

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As-Sa’ah (The Hour)

Brief Biography / Background

As-Sa’ah, The Hour, is a primary name for the Day of Judgment. It refers to the appointed time that will come suddenly and will mark the end of the world as we know it, initiating the resurrection and the final reckoning.

Role in the Surah

The Hour is the subject of the final question posed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The disbelievers ask him with mockery: “They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival?” (An-Nazi’at, 79:42). The Surah then provides the definitive answer about its knowledge.

Personality & Attributes

The Hour is the archetype of **imminent reality and exclusive divine knowledge**. It is characterized by its certainty, but also by the fact that its exact timing is a knowledge that belongs to Allah alone. It is the ultimate and final deadline for all of creation.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The knowledge of the exact timing of the Last Hour is with Allah alone. No one, not even the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was given this knowledge.
• A believer should not be preoccupied with trying to predict the date of the Hour.
• The role of the Prophet, and by extension the believer, is not to announce the date of the Hour, but to “warn whoever fears it.” The focus should be on preparation, not on prediction.

Supporting References

This is a recurring theme in the Qur’an. Whenever the Prophet was asked, “When is the Hour?”, the divine answer was always the same: to redirect the questioner from the futile inquiry about “when” to the more important and productive concern of “what have you prepared for it?” The final verses of this Surah are a perfect example of this divine pedagogical method.

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At-Tammah al-Kubra (The Great Cataclysm)

Brief Biography / Background

At-Tammah al-Kubra, the Great, Overwhelming Cataclysm, is one of the most powerful and terrifying names for the Day of Judgment. The word “tammah” implies something that overwhelms, covers, and engulfs everything. “Kubra” means the greatest.

Role in the Surah

The Great Cataclysm is mentioned as the event that will trigger the final reckoning and the remembrance of all deeds. “But when there comes the great Overwhelming Calamity – the Day when man will remember that for which he strove…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:34-35).

Personality & Attributes

The Great Cataclysm is the archetype of the **ultimate and all-encompassing event**. It is characterized by its overwhelming and irresistible nature. It is the moment when the worldly life will be completely engulfed by the reality of the Hereafter. It is the ultimate point of no return.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have a firm faith in the reality of this “Great Cataclysm.”
• On that Day, every single person will remember their entire life’s striving. Nothing will be forgotten.
• This should motivate a person to strive for that which they will be pleased to remember on that Day.

Supporting References

The name “At-Tammah al-Kubra” is used to instill a sense of profound awe and fear. It is a name that conveys not just a single event, but a complete and total transformation of reality, an overwhelming disaster that will completely dwarf any calamity ever experienced in the history of the world.

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The Believers (Al-Mu’minun)

Brief Biography / Background

The Believers are those who have sincere faith in Allah and accept the guidance brought by His prophets. They are the ones who heed the divine reminder and live a life of righteousness in preparation for the Hereafter, as exemplified by the one who fears the station of his Lord.

Role in the Surah

The believers are presented as the ones who are destined for salvation and the bliss of Paradise. They are the ones who are represented by the soul that is “gently released” by the angels at death. They are the ones who feared the station of their Lord and restrained their souls from vain desire. Their ultimate abode is the Garden.

Personality & Attributes

The Believers are the archetype of the **righteous, the successful, and the honored**. They are characterized by their faith, their piety, and their ultimate triumph. Their defining outcome is to be in a state of absolute security and bliss in the presence of their Lord.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate success and joy is reserved for those who believe and do righteous deeds.
• A believer’s life should be one of acknowledging the favors of their Lord and preparing for the final meeting with Him.
• The path of belief is the only path that leads to eternal security and peace.

Supporting References

The Surah provides a clear and uncompromising contrast between the two final destinations. The believers are the ones for whom Paradise will be their “refuge,” while the disbelievers are the ones for whom the Blazing Fire will be their “refuge.” This stark choice is the central message of the Surah.

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The Creator

Brief Biography / Background

The Creator is an archetype representing Allah in His specific role as the originator and master architect of all existence. The act of creation is the primary proof of His power, His knowledge, and His right to be worshipped.

Role in the Surah

The role of the Creator is to be the ultimate authority whose power is contrasted with the weakness of man. The Surah poses a powerful rhetorical question to the deniers of the Resurrection: “Are you a more difficult creation or is the heaven? He constructed it.” (79:27). The Creator is the one who masterfully designed the sky, the night, the day, and the earth as a provision for mankind.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents **absolute, majestic, and purposeful creative power**. The Creator is the ultimate reality, the one from whom all existence proceeds. His creation is flawless and points to His perfection. He is the masterful Engineer of the cosmos.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Reflecting on the perfection and vastness of creation is the most direct path to recognizing the greatness of the Creator.
• The creation of the entire cosmos is a far greater and more difficult act than the recreation of a human being.
• This rational argument should instill in a person a sense of humility and a certainty in the reality of the Resurrection.

Supporting References

The argument from creation in this Surah is a powerful one. It is an *a fortiori* argument (proving a lesser point by establishing a greater one). If Allah could accomplish the magnificent and complex feat of creating the entire universe, then the seemingly difficult feat of resurrecting a human is, by comparison, a simple matter. It is a devastatingly effective refutation of the deniers’ limited perspective.

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The Dwellers of Paradise

Brief Biography / Background

The Dwellers of Paradise are the righteous believers who are destined for an eternal life of bliss in the Hereafter. They are the ones who feared the station of their Lord and restrained their souls from vain desire.

Role in the Surah

Their final abode, the Garden (Al-Jannah), is described as the “refuge” for the one who lived a life of piety. They are the ultimate victors in the test of life, the ones who have achieved the great success.

Personality & Attributes

This group represents the archetype of the **successful, the saved, and the eternally secure**. They are the ones who chose the path of self-restraint and God-consciousness and are now reaping the eternal reward for their wise choice. Their state is one of peace, security, and bliss.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate success is to be counted among the Dwellers of Paradise.
• The path to this success is a clear one: to fear the standing before God and to restrain the self from its lower desires.
• This beautiful promise should be a powerful motivation for a believer to remain steadfast on the path of piety.

Supporting References

The Surah presents a very clear and simple dichotomy. There are only two types of people and two final destinations. The entire chapter is designed to force the reader to confront this choice and to choose the path that leads to becoming a dweller of the Garden.

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Fir’awn (Pharaoh)

Brief Biography / Background

Fir’awn, Pharaoh, the king of ancient Egypt, is the ultimate Qur’anic archetype of the arrogant and tyrannical ruler. He was a man so deluded by his worldly power that he oppressed his people and made the most arrogant of all claims.

Role in the Surah

The story of Pharaoh is recounted as the primary historical example of one who “transgressed.” He is the one to whom Prophet Musa `عليه السلام` was sent. His response to the “greatest sign” was to deny and disobey. He then gathered his people and made his infamous proclamation: “And he gathered [his people] and called out and said, ‘I am your lord, the most high.'” (An-Nazi’at, 79:23-24). For this ultimate act of arrogant rebellion, Allah seized him with an “exemplary punishment for the last and the first.”

Personality & Attributes

Fir’awn is the embodiment of **extreme arrogance (kibr), tyranny, and defiant rebellion**. He is the one who usurps the exclusive attribute of Allah (“the most high”). He is a model of one who is so blinded by his pride that he cannot accept the truth, even when faced with a great miracle.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Arrogance and the claim to ultimate sovereignty are the greatest of all sins.
• The fate of Pharaoh is a timeless lesson that no matter how mighty a tyrant seems, their power is nothing before the power of Allah.
• His punishment was made an “‘ibrah” (a lesson, an example) for all who would come after, a warning for anyone who fears God.

Supporting References

His story is presented as the ultimate case study of the “one who transgressed and preferred the life of the world.” His love for his own power and his kingdom is what led him to make his outrageous claim. His fate is a direct illustration of the destiny that awaits all such transgressors: the Blazing Fire.

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The Heedless (who prefer the worldly life)

Brief Biography / Background

The Heedless are the archetype of those who are engrossed in the transient affairs of this world, forgetful of Allah, and completely unaware of their purpose and their ultimate return to Him. Their defining characteristic is that they have prioritized this life over the next.

Role in the Surah

This character is presented as the first of the two ultimate destinies of humanity. They are the ones who, on the Day of Judgment, will find that the Blazing Fire is their refuge. Their crime is twofold: “So as for he who transgressed and preferred the life of the world…” (79:37-38).

Personality & Attributes

The Heedless are the archetype of the **distracted, short-sighted, and ultimately losing soul**. They are characterized by their love for the fleeting pleasures of this world and their failure to prepare for the eternal life to come. They are the ones who “transgressed” because their priorities were inverted.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The love of the worldly life, when it takes precedence over the fear of the Hereafter, is a direct path to the Hellfire.
• A believer must constantly be vigilant and ensure that their priorities are correct, with the Hereafter always being the ultimate goal.
• The entire Surah is a powerful cure for this spiritual disease of heedlessness.

Supporting References

The story of Pharaoh is the ultimate historical example of this archetype. His entire worldview was based on the power and glory of his worldly kingdom (“Does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me?”). This preference for the worldly life is what led him to his arrogant rebellion and his ultimate doom.

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The One who Feared the Station of his Lord

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the righteous believer. Their defining characteristic is a profound and awe-filled fear (*khawf*) of the moment they will have to stand before their Lord for judgment. This is not a despairing fear, but a reverential awe that motivates righteous action.

Role in the Surah

This character is presented as the first of the two ultimate destinies of humanity, the direct opposite of the one who transgressed. Their qualities and their magnificent reward are detailed: “But as for he who feared the standing before his Lord and restrained the soul from [vain] desire, then indeed, Paradise will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:40-41).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **piety, foresight, and profound self-discipline**. Their fear of the “Maqam” (station) of their Lord is the primary motivator that gives them the strength to “restrain the soul from desire.” They are the ultimate victors in the inner struggle against the self.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A healthy and sincere fear of standing before Allah for judgment is a defining characteristic of the most righteous of believers.
• This fear is not meant to be a paralyzing terror, but a powerful motivation for self-discipline and the avoidance of sin.
• The key to salvation is a two-part process: fearing God and actively restraining the soul from its base desires. The reward for this is nothing less than Paradise.

Supporting References

Tafsir literature explains that “fearing the station of his Lord” refers to the fear of the moment of accountability on the Day of Judgment. This consciousness of the Hereafter is what provides the believer with the perspective needed to prioritize the eternal over the temporary. The struggle to restrain the soul from *hawa* (vain desire) is the great jihad, and Paradise is the prize for the one who is victorious in this struggle.

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The One who Restrained his Soul from Desire

Brief Biography / Background

The One who Restrained his Soul from Desire is the archetype of the disciplined and successful believer. This is the person who has engaged in the greater jihad, the struggle against their own lower self (*nafs*) and its vain desires (*hawa*), and has emerged victorious.

Role in the Surah

This is the second of the two defining qualities of the successful believer. Their salvation is dependent on two things: fearing God and this act of self-restraint. “…and [he] restrained the soul from [vain] desire, then indeed, Paradise will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:40-41).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **self-discipline, willpower, and piety**. They are the ones who have mastered their own soul. They are not led by their whims, but are led by their fear of their Lord. They are the epitome of a person of strong character.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The struggle against the vain desires of the soul is a central and essential part of the Islamic faith.
• Success in this inner struggle is a direct path to the refuge of Paradise.
• A believer must be constantly vigilant against the temptations of the lower self and must actively work to restrain it.

Supporting References

The pairing of “fearing God” and “restraining the soul” is a perfect one. The fear of God provides the motivation, and the restraining of the soul is the practical action that results from that motivation. The two together form the complete recipe for salvation as presented in this Surah.

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The One who Transgressed (Tagha)

Brief Biography / Background

The One who Transgressed (Tagha) is the archetype of the disbeliever who has exceeded all bounds in their rebellion and disbelief. The word *tagha* signifies the overflowing of all limits, a state of extreme and arrogant rebellion. Pharaoh is the ultimate example.

Role in the Surah

This is the first of the two ultimate archetypes of humanity whose fate is described in the Surah. They are the ones for whom the Blazing Fire is a refuge. Their crime is twofold: “So as for he who transgressed and preferred the life of the world…” (An-Nazi’at, 79:37-38).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by its **arrogance, its rebellion, and its heedlessness**. They are the ones who have lived their lives without any regard for the limits set by Allah. Their transgression is a direct result of their preference for the fleeting pleasures of this world over the eternal reality of the next.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Transgression against the limits of Allah is a direct path to the Hellfire.
• A believer must be constantly vigilant to stay within the safe and protective boundaries of the divine law.
• The love of the worldly life, when it takes precedence over the fear of the Hereafter, is the root cause of all transgression.

Supporting References

The story of Pharaoh is the practical illustration of this archetype. Allah specifically tells Musa to go to him because “indeed, he has transgressed.” His entire story is a case study in the psychology and the ultimate, disastrous end of the one who chooses the path of *tughyan* (transgression).

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Musa `عليه السلام`

Brief Biography / Background

Musa (عليه السلام) is one of the five greatest messengers of Allah, sent with the Torah to the Children of Israel and to confront the great tyrant of his time, Pharaoh. His story is one of struggle, patience, and spectacular divine miracles.

Role in the Surah

The story of Musa is recounted as the primary historical example and proof in the Surah. His narrative serves as a lesson for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a warning to the Quraysh. The Surah describes how Allah called him in the **”sacred valley of Tuwa”** and commissioned him with a clear mission: **”Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.”** (79:17). Musa was to ask him if he would be purified and guided. His role is to be the messenger who brings the “greatest sign” to the ultimate transgressor.

Personality & Attributes

Musa is the archetype of the **courageous messenger who confronts tyranny**. He is the one who delivers the message of purification and guidance to the most arrogant of men. He is the bearer of the “greatest sign,” a testament to the divine power that supports him.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The mission of a prophet is to call even the greatest of tyrants to the path of purification and guidance.
• A caller to Allah should be direct and clear in their message, offering a path to salvation.
• The story of Musa and Pharaoh is a timeless lesson that the end of all oppressors is one of humiliation and failure.

Supporting References

The story is presented immediately after the description of the terrifying events of the Resurrection. This is a powerful structural choice. It grounds the abstract description of the Hereafter in a concrete, historical example of the consequences of belief versus disbelief. The story of Musa and Pharaoh is a microcosm of the great sorting that will happen on the Last Day.

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Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

Brief Biography / Background

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the final messenger of Allah, to whom the Qur’an was revealed. Surah An-Nazi’at was revealed to him in Makkah to provide him with strength and to arm him with arguments and historical precedents against the arrogant deniers of his time.

Role in the Surah

He is the one to whom the disbelievers direct their mocking question about the Hour. His role and the limits of his knowledge are clarified in the final verses: **”In what [position] are you that you should mention it? To your Lord is its finality. You are only a warner for those who fear it.”** (An-Nazi’at, 79:43-45).

Personality & Attributes

As the addressee of the Surah, the Prophet ﷺ is the archetype of the **patient warner and the faithful guide**. He is the one who must convey the profound and often terrifying realities of the Hereafter to a heedless people. His role is not to know the unseen, but to warn based on the certain knowledge that has been revealed to him.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The role of a prophet is to warn, not to predict the exact date of the Last Day.
• A caller to Islam should not get bogged down in speculative questions about the timing of the Hour, but should focus on the core message of preparing for it.
• The warning is most effective for those who already have a seed of fear in their hearts.

Supporting References

The Surah provides the Prophet ﷺ with a powerful sense of perspective and a clear definition of his mission. It gives him the historical precedent of Musa and Pharaoh to strengthen his resolve, and it gives him the perfect answer to the foolish questions of his opponents, redirecting them from the “when” to the “what”: the reality of the Day itself.

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The Trembling Hearts and Humbled Eyes

Brief Biography / Background

This is the archetype of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment. Their physical and emotional state will be a direct manifestation of the terror and humiliation of that Day.

Role in the Surah

Their state is described as the immediate consequence of the two blasts of the Trumpet. “Hearts, that Day, will be trembling, their eyes humbled.” (An-Nazi’at, 79:8-9).

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **abject terror and profound humiliation**. Their hearts are “wajifah” (trembling, pounding with fear). Their eyes are “khashi’ah” (downcast, humbled, covered in disgrace). This is a complete reversal of their arrogant and defiant posture in the worldly life.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The arrogance of this world will be transformed into the ultimate terror and humiliation in the next.
• A person’s physical state in the Hereafter will be a direct reflection of their spiritual state in this world.
• This terrifying image should serve as a powerful deterrent, motivating a believer to embrace the humility of faith in this life to avoid the humiliation of disbelief in the next.

Supporting References

The description is a powerful psychological portrait. It captures the inner state (the trembling heart) and the outer manifestation (the humbled eyes). It is a complete picture of a soul that has been utterly broken by the dawning of the Inevitable Reality that it used to deny.