When was Surah 79: An-Nazi'at (Those who drag forth) written?

Most scholars date it to the Middle Meccan period, roughly between 610 and 622 CE.

Who wrote Surah 79: An-Nazi'at (Those who drag forth)?

Traditional belief attributes it to divine revelation to Muhammad; critical scholarship views it as a product of his ministry.

Is it historically reliable?

It accurately reflects 7th-century Arabian religious debates, though theological claims are matters of faith.

What is the significance of the angels?

They symbolize divine power over life and death, emphasizing the inevitability of the afterlife.

Why does it mention Moses?

The story serves as a warning to Meccan leaders, paralleling their rejection of Muhammad with Pharaoh's rejection of Moses.

How does it relate to other scriptures?

It shares thematic parallels with Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature regarding resurrection and judgment.

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Islam

Surah 79: An-Nazi'at — Those who drag forth

النازعات

c. 610-622 CE, Middle Meccan period; exact chronology within Meccan phase debated1 chapter

About this book

Surah An-Nazi'at is a Meccan text invoking angels of resurrection to affirm the Day of Judgment and the inevitability of divine accountability.

Positioned within the latter third of the Qur'an, this Meccan surah opens with a theophany of angels executing the resurrection, as described in Pickthall 1930: 'By those who drag forth with violence, and by those who remove with ease.' Scholars note its focus on the mechanics of eschatology, contrasting the violent extraction of the wicked with the gentle removal of the righteous.

Read this if — You want to understand the Qur'anic depiction of angelic roles in the resurrection and the structural logic of the Last Hour.

Background & dating

Surah 79 opens with a series of solemn oaths invoking angelic agents responsible for extracting souls from the human body. This imagery sets a tone of divine authority and cosmic order, distinguishing between the fate of the wicked and the righteous. Scholars observe that the violent and gentle metaphors for death reflect a specific theological concern regarding the mechanics of resurrection and the soul's departure.

The narrative then pivots to the historical precedent of Moses and Pharaoh, illustrating the consequences of rejecting divine messengers. This serves as a typological warning to the contemporary Meccan polytheistic audience resisting Muhammad's message. By referencing a shared Near Eastern tradition, the text grounds its eschatological claims in a recognizable historical framework familiar to the region and its listeners.

The surah culminates in descriptions of the Day of Judgment and the transformation of the earth. Scholars note this reflects a broader trend in early Islamic texts to affirm life after death against prevailing Arabian religious skepticism. The text functions less as a legal code and more as a rhetorical challenge to the polytheistic elite of the time, urging them to reconsider their stance.

Dating

Most scholars classify this surah as Meccan, composed during the early phase of Muhammad's prophethood before the Hijra in 622 CE. While traditional chronologies vary, critical consensus places it within the middle Meccan period, though some argue for a later Medinese redaction. The text reflects the intense eschatological focus characteristic of this era.

Authorship

Traditionally ascribed to divine revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad. From a historical-critical perspective, the text is attributed to Muhammad or his immediate circle, functioning as a prophetic proclamation without a known human co-author. The text lacks the editorial layers often found in later canonical formations, though some scholars suggest minor redaction.

Setting

The text addresses the polytheistic elite of Mecca who rejected the concept of bodily resurrection. It reflects the socio-political tension between early Muslims and the Quraysh tribe prior to the migration to Medina. The narrative engages with Near Eastern motifs regarding Pharaoh and Moses common in the region.

Genre

Eschatological oaths and prophetic proclamation

Frequently asked

When was Surah 79: An-Nazi'at (Those who drag forth) written?: Most scholars date it to the Middle Meccan period, roughly between 610 and 622 CE.
Who wrote Surah 79: An-Nazi'at (Those who drag forth)?: Traditional belief attributes it to divine revelation to Muhammad; critical scholarship views it as a product of his ministry.
Is it historically reliable?: It accurately reflects 7th-century Arabian religious debates, though theological claims are matters of faith.
What is the significance of the angels?: They symbolize divine power over life and death, emphasizing the inevitability of the afterlife.
Why does it mention Moses?: The story serves as a warning to Meccan leaders, paralleling their rejection of Muhammad with Pharaoh's rejection of Moses.
How does it relate to other scriptures?: It shares thematic parallels with Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature regarding resurrection and judgment.

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