Tafsir of Abasa 80:15

Surah 'Abasa (He Frowned): Verse 15

بِأَيْدِي سَفَرَةٍ (In the hands of scribes/messengers)

In this verse, Allah describes the angels with three types of attributes:

First Attribute: That they are Safarā’ (سفرة - scribes/messengers). There are two opinions regarding this:

1. Opinion 1: Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Muqatil, and Qatadah held that they are the scribes among the angels. Al-Zajjaj said that Safarā’ (scribes, plural) is like Kuttab (scribes, plural), and the singular is Sāfir (scribe), similar to Kātib (scribe) and Kuttab (scribes). They are called Safarā’ because the meaning implies one who explains and clarifies something. It is said, Saffarat al-mar’ah (the woman uncovered her face).

2. Opinion 2 (Preferred by Al-Farra’): The Safarā’ here are the angels who convey the revelation (yasfirūn) between Allah and His Messengers. The singular is Sāfir. The Arabs say, Saffartu bayna al-qawm (I mediated/reconciled between the people). Thus, when the angels descend with Allah's revelation and deliver it, they are likened to the mediator who brings about reconciliation. They cite poetry:

   "And I do not abandon mediation between my people, Nor do I walk with deceit when I walk."

Know that the root of Sifārah (mediation/scribing) comes from uncovering/clarifying. The scribe is called Sāfir because he uncovers (writes down), and the mediator (Safīr) is also called Safīr because he uncovers (clarifies the situation). Since these angels act as intermediaries between Allah and mankind in clarification, guidance, and knowledge, it is fitting that they are called Safarā’.

Second Attribute: That they are Kirām (كرام - noble/honorable).

• Muqatil said: They are honorable to their Lord.
• Ata said: It means they find it beneath them (yatakarrumūn) to be present with a person when he is alone with his wife for intercourse or when relieving himself.

Third Attribute: That they are Bararah (بررة - righteous/dutiful).

• Muqatil said: Meaning obedient. Bararah is the plural of Bārr (righteous). Al-Farra’ stated that the form Fa’alah (like Bararah) is only used for plurals when the singular is Fā’il (like Kāfir and Kafarah, or Fājir and Fajarah).

• Second Interpretation regarding the Scriptures: Some interpret the phrase to mean that these scriptures are the Scrolls of the Prophets, based on the verse: {Indeed, this is in the former scriptures} (Al-A'la: 18), meaning this reminder is established in the scrolls of previous prophets. The noble, righteous Safarā’ are then interpreted as the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), or they are said to be the Reciters (of the Quran).

The statement {purified bi-aydi safaratin} (purified in the hands of scribes) implies that the purity of those scrolls was achieved through these Safarā’.

Al-Qaffal explained this by stating: Since none touch them except the purified angels, the purification is attributed to them because of the purity of those who touch them (i.e., the scrolls are pure because they are handled only by the pure).

قُتِلَ الْإِنْسَانُ مَا أَكْفَرَهُ (Cursed is man; how ungrateful he is!)