Living Quran

Surah As-Saffat (Those who set the Ranks)

As-Saffat means "Those who set the Ranks" or "Those Ranged in Ranks," referring to the angels arrayed in ordered rows in devotion to God.

Surah As-Saffat is the 37th chapter of the Quran, a Meccan surah of 182 ayahs. Its name refers to those ranged in ranks, traditionally understood as the angels arrayed in ordered rows in worship and service to God. As a Meccan chapter, its central purpose is to affirm the absolute oneness of God and to refute the polytheistic beliefs of its first audience, including false claims about God's relationship to angels and other beings. A substantial portion of the surah is devoted to concise accounts of earlier prophets, presented as a connected series of examples of faith, patience, and deliverance: Noah, Abraham, Moses and Aaron, Elijah, Lot, and Jonah are among those recalled. The narrative of Abraham and his son, and the profound test of obedience they faced, is one of the surah's most prominent passages. Throughout, the chapter moves between scenes of the hereafter, dialogues among people of differing fates, and reminders that God's messengers were ultimately supported. It closes by glorifying God above all that is falsely attributed to Him.
Surah number
37
Revelation
Meccan
Ayahs
182
Arabic
الصافات

Read Surah As-Saffat online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • The oneness of God and refutation of polytheism
  • The angels ranged in ranks in devotion to God
  • Stories of the prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Lot, and Jonah
  • The test and trial of Abraham and his son
  • Resurrection and scenes of the hereafter
  • The ultimate support and deliverance of God's messengers

Why this surah matters

As-Saffat is well known for its series of prophetic narratives, which present a unified message of steadfast faith and divine deliverance across generations. The account of Abraham's great test of obedience is among its most frequently discussed passages and is connected in the tradition to themes of submission and sacrifice. The surah's opening reference to the ranks of angels and its firm rejection of polytheism make it a notable example of the Meccan revelation's emphasis on tawhid. Its closing verses, glorifying God beyond all false attributions, are widely recognized and are sometimes recited as a form of praise.

Frequently asked questions

Who are "those who set the ranks"?

The phrase is traditionally understood to refer to the angels arrayed in ordered rows in worship and service to God, which the surah opens by invoking.

Which prophets are mentioned in As-Saffat?

The surah recalls a series of prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Aaron, Elijah, Lot, and Jonah, presenting their stories as examples of faith and deliverance.

What is the significance of Abraham's story in this surah?

The surah recounts the profound test in which Abraham and his son demonstrated obedience and submission to God. It is one of the chapter's central passages and is closely associated with themes of trust and sacrifice.

Read Surah As-Saffat

Read Surah As-Saffat with the Pickthall translation and ask Noor about any ayah — ad-free and neutral across all five schools.

Get Living Quran free