“and by the dawn as it brightens,” and because nowhere in the Quran does an oath occur alongside idh; rather, idha occurs alongside an oath. Both dabara and adbara (1) are valid forms. One says: “The night dabara” or “adbara,” when it turns away and departs. Abu Amr said: Dabara is the dialect of Quraysh. Qutrub said: Dabara means “it approached.” The Arabs say, “So-and-so dabarani,” meaning, “He came behind me.” Thus, the night comes behind the day.

“And by the dawn as it brightens”: that is, when it gives light and becomes manifest.

“Indeed, it is one of the greatest horrors (35), a warning to mankind (36), for whoever among you wishes to advance or lag behind (37). Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned (38), except the companions of the right (39).”

“Indeed, it is one of the greatest horrors”: that is, Saqar is one of the tremendous matters. The singular of “the greatest horrors” is “the greatest.” Muqatil and al-Kalbi said: By “the greatest horrors,” He means the levels of Hell. They are seven: Jahannam, Laza, al-Hutamah, al-Sa'ir, Saqar, al-Jahim, and al-Hawiyah.

“A warning to mankind”: that is, the Fire is a warning to mankind. Al-Hasan said: “By Allah, Allah has not warned of anything more dreadful than it.” Grammatically, it is in the accusative by way of severance from His saying, “one of the greatest horrors,” because the latter is definite while “a warning” is indefinite. Al-Khalil said: “Warning” is a verbal noun, like “denial”; this is why it may describe a feminine noun.

It was also said that it is an attribute of Allah, Exalted is He. Its construction is: “We have appointed none but angels as keepers of the Fire, as a warning to mankind”—that is, to warn them. Abu Ruzayn said: He says, “I am a warner to you concerning it, so beware of it.” It was also said that it is an attribute of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, meaning: “O you who are wrapped up, arise as a warner to mankind—so warn” (2). This is the meaning of Ibn Zayd’s statement.

“For whoever wishes” is in apposition to “mankind”: “among you, to advance” in goodness and obedience “or to lag behind” from them in evil and disobedience. The meaning is that the warning has reached every person, whether he believes or disbelieves.

“Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned”: it is held in pledge in the Fire because of its earnings and taken to account for its deeds.

“Except the companions of the right”: they will not be held in pledge in the Fire because of their sins; rather, Allah will forgive them. Qatadah said: Allah has held all people in pledge, except the companions of the right. There is disagreement concerning who they are. It is narrated from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that they are the children of the Muslims.

Abu Zabyān narrated from Ibn Abbas that they are the angels.