سُوْرَةُ النَّازِعَاتِ

Surah An-Naazi'aat (79) — Ayah 3

Those who drag forth · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 583

وَٱلسَّـٰبِحَـٰتِ سَبْحًا ﴿3﴾
And by those that swim along (i.e. angels or planets in their orbits).
وَٱلسَّـٰبِحَـٰتِ wal-sābiḥāti And those who glide
سَبْحًۭا sabḥan swimming

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 4,3){ وَ السّٰبِحٰتِ سَبْحًا …… : ’’ سَبَحَ يَسْبَحُ سَبْحًا‘‘} (F) To swim. {’’ السّٰبِحٰتِ ‘‘} Those who swim. {’’ سَبْحًا ‘‘} The verbal noun is for emphasis; in the translation, this meaning is conveyed by the words "with great speed." The intended meaning is those angels who, in compliance with the divine commands, swiftly swim through the heavens and surpass one another.

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.

3. 1. The meaning of سَبْح is to swim; the angels swim around in the human body to extract the soul just as one swims in the depths of the sea to extract pearls, or it means that they descend from the sky with Allah's command with great speed.

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.

3. And by those who glide swiftly (through the heavens) [3],

[3] ﴿سَبَحَ﴾ means for something to float in water or air and to pass by swiftly. And "sabbāḥ" means an expert swimmer. That is, the angel who, after extracting the soul, moves from the earth to the sky with such speed and ease as if they are swimming unhindered in the air.