As-Saffat · Makki · ayah 3 of 182

As-Saffat 37:3

فَٱلتَّـٰلِيَـٰتِ ذِكْرًا

“And those who recite the message,[1286]”

Saheeh International

Essence

Then by those who recite a reminder: the third oath honours angels whose work is to recite, and follow, the words of their Lord.

A reflection

The highest work is to repeat His words

The commentators say these reciters are angels too. They recite the Book of Allah, or carry His words down to the prophets. One adds that the indefinite dhikran, 'a reminder', is there to magnify it: a reminder of no ordinary kind.

Notice what the angels are honoured for. Not for their own speeches. Not for original ideas. They are praised for repeating what He said.

Now think of a keynote speaker at a business conference. Every third slide quotes him. A large photograph of his face, a sentence he once said, his name underneath in italics. The audience has come to learn something. He has come to be quoted.

We live in a culture that prizes having your own voice, your own take, your own brand. Some of that is healthy. But the ego feeds on it. It wants every room to hear what it thinks, and it tires quickly of listening.

The angels, whose nearness to their Lord is greater than ours, have no such hunger. Their dignity is in faithful repetition. One commentator ranks the three oaths and puts recitation highest of all, because its benefit reaches others and through them everyone.

Someone may ask: why would Allah want His own words recited back? Is He pleased by hearing Himself praised? He is free of all need (35:15). His words lose nothing if no one recites them. The reciters are the ones raised by reciting. To carry His speech is the honour, not a service He lacks.

There is a humbling question here for anyone who talks for a living, or simply talks a lot. How much of what I say today will be my own opinion, and how much will be worth repeating because it is true? The angels chose the second. It made them great.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.