Surah Abasa
Chapter 80 · Verse 17 · Revealed in Makkah
“Cursed is man; how disbelieving is he.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
The Refutation against Whoever denies Life after Death
Allah rebukes those who deny the Resurrection and the Final Gathering.
قُتِلَ الإِنسَـنُ مَآ أَكْفَرَهُ
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?