سُوْرَةُ قٓ

Surah Qaaf (50) — Ayah 21

The letter Qaaf · Meccan · Juz 26 · Page 519

وَجَآءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّعَهَا سَآئِقٌ وَشَهِيدٌ ﴿21﴾
And every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him) and an (angel) to bear witness.
وَجَآءَتْ wajāat And will come
كُلُّ kullu every
نَفْسٍۢ nafsin soul
مَّعَهَا maʿahā with it
سَآئِقٌۭ sāiqun a driver
وَشَهِيدٌۭ washahīdun and a witness

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 21) {وَ جَآءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّعَهَا سَآىِٕقٌ وَّ شَهِيْدٌ:’’ سَآىِٕقٌ ‘‘ ’’ سَاقَ يَسُوْقُ سَوْقًا ‘‘} is an active participle, meaning the one who drives, who drives animals or a group to a certain place. {’’ شَهِيْدٌ ‘‘} means the one who gives testimony. That is, as soon as they come out of the grave, every disbeliever will have an angel with him who will drive him towards the gathering, and another who will testify to his evil deeds. This angel can also be from among the noble recorders (Kiraman Katibin), who will come with his book of deeds to testify. Thus, the criminal will also be present, and complete testimonies against him will also be present. By {’’ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ‘‘} is meant here every disbeliever and polytheist, because only the disbelievers will be taken with such humiliation and disgrace. This is also made clear by the following verses.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

21. 1. There is a difference of opinion regarding سَائِق (the driver) and شھید (the witness). According to Imam Tabari, they are two angels: one who drives the person to the place of gathering, and the other who gives testimony.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

21. Every soul will come forth, with it a driver [25] and a witness.

[25] This most likely refers to those same two angels who are recording his deeds. One of them will drive him from behind and present him before Allah, saying that the criminal is present. The other will bring forth the complete record of his life. That is, both the criminal and the testimony will be present.