the assistants of the Angel of Death: they seize him and hand him over to the Angel of Death, who then takes his soul, as He says: “Say, ‘The Angel of Death who has been entrusted with you will take you in death.’” It was also said that the assistants take him in death by the command of the Angel of Death; thus, it is as though the Angel of Death himself has taken him in death, since they act at his command. And it was said that by “Our messengers” He meant the Angel of Death alone, referring to the singular with the wording of the plural.
Reports state that Allah, exalted is He, has placed the world before the Angel of Death like a small table, from which he takes here and there. When the souls become numerous, he calls the souls, and they answer him.
“And they do not neglect their duty”: that is, they do not fall short.
“Then they are returned to Allah, their true Master”: this refers to the angels. It was also said that it refers to the servants, who are returned by death to Allah, their true Master. If it is asked: the verse includes both believers and disbelievers, yet Allah says in another verse, “The disbelievers have no protector” (Muhammad, 11). How, then, can the plural wording be understood? It is said: mawlā in that verse means helper, and the disbelievers have no helper; whereas mawlā here means the Sovereign who manages their affairs. Allah, glorified and exalted is He, is the Owner of all and the One who manages all affairs. It was also said that believers alone are intended here: they are returned to their Master, while the disbelievers are included incidentally.
“Surely His is the judgment”: that is, the decree belongs to Him alone, apart from His creation. “And He is swiftest in reckoning”: that is, when He calls to account, His reckoning is swift, for He has no need for deliberation, reflection, or counting on the fingers.
The words of Allah, glorified and exalted is He: “Say: ‘Who rescues you?’” Ya‘qub recited it without gemination, while the majority recited it with gemination. “From the darknesses of land and sea”: that is, from their hardships and terrors. When they travelled by land or sea, lost their way, and feared destruction, they would call upon Allah, sincerely devoting worship to Him, and He would rescue them. This is the meaning of His saying, exalted is He: “You call upon Him humbly and secretly”: that is, openly and in secret. Abu Bakr, transmitting from Asim, recited “secretly” with the letter khā’ pronounced with kasrah here and in al-A‘raf, while the others recited it with dammah; both are valid linguistic forms.
“If He rescues us”: that is, they say, “If You rescue us.” The people of Kufa recited: “If Allah rescues us.” “From this”: that is, from these darknesses. “We will surely be among the grateful.” Gratitude is recognizing the blessing while fulfilling its due right.
“Say: ‘It is Allah who rescues you from it and from every distress; yet then you associate others with Him.’ (64) Say: ‘He is the One able to send upon you a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet, or to divide you into factions and make some of you taste the violence of others.’ See how We diversify the signs, so that perhaps they may understand. (65)”
“Say: ‘It is Allah who rescues you from it.’” The people of Kufa and Abu Ja‘far recited “He rescues you” with gemination, like His saying, exalted is He: