Surah Abasa
Chapter 80 · Verse 15 · Revealed in Makkah
“[Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels,”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Which was revealed in Makkah
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
بِأَيْدِي سَفَرَةٍ كِرَامٍ بَرَرَةٍ (in the hands of those scribes who are honourable, righteous. [ 80:15-16] )
The word safarah, with fathah [=a+a ] on the first two letters, may be the plural of safir which means a 'scribe'. In this case, it would refer to the recording angels, or to the Prophets (علیہم السلام) and those of their aides who write down the revelation. Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ and Mujahid (رح) hold this view.
What does this verse bring up for you today?