Al-Ma'arij: (43) The Day they come forth from...

Then the Almighty mentioned that Day which was previously mentioned, saying:

{The Day they come forth from the graves, hastening as if toward a goal set up.}

This is like His saying:

{Then suddenly they will come forth from the graves, hastening toward their Lord.}

His saying, the Almighty:

{As if they were rushing toward a fixed goal. Their eyes cast down, overwhelmed with humiliation. That is the Day they were promised.}

Know that regarding {نُصُب} (nusub), there are three readings:

1. The first reading, which is that of the majority, is {نُصُب} (nuṣub) with a fatḥa (vowel 'a') on the nūn. Nusub (with fatḥa) means anything set up or erected. The meaning is as if they are rushing toward a standard or banner set up for them.
2. The second reading is {نُصُب} (nuṣub) with a ḍamma (vowel 'u') on the nūn and a sukūn (vowel-less) on the ṣād. There are two interpretations for this:
   • Nusub (with fatḥa) and Nuṣub (with ḍamma) are two linguistic variants, like ḍaʿf (weakness) and ḍuʿf (weakness).
   • It is the plural of naṣb (a thing set up), similar to how shuqaq is the plural of shaqfa.
3. The third reading is {نُصُب} (nuṣub) with a ḍamma on both the nūn and the ṣād. There are two interpretations for this:
   • Both forms (nuṣub with fatḥa and nuṣub with ḍamma) can be plurals of naṣb (a thing set up), like usud (lions) is the plural of asad (lion).
   • It refers to idols (anṣāb), which are the things erected and worshipped besides God, as in His saying: {And what is sacrificed on the altars (nuṣub)}.

And His saying {يُوفِضُونَ} (yūfaḍūn) means they hasten or rush.

The meaning of the verse, based on this interpretation, is that the Day they emerge from their graves, they will rush toward the Caller, competing with one another, just as they used to compete for their supporters (in the world).

The rest of the Sura is known. And God, the Exalted, knows best. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.