The Majestic Quran

77. Al-Mursalat The Winds Five oaths open the chapter: the first four refer to the incredible power of the wind, its movement of the air, that it is an amazing natural phenomenon: from the calm and pleasant morning breeze, to the gale-force winds that create storms on land to sea, and the gusty winds that move the clouds to become hurricanes and cyclones. The fifth refers to the angels responsible for the Divine Revelation. The phrase, “That will be a Day of big loss for the deniers!” Is repeated ten times. Such refrains warn stubborn people and open their eyes, so they can overcome their ignorance and egotism. Threats are employed, warning the disbelievers of the consequences of their disbelief. This is a powerful rhetorical device for conveying the message. The first time it occurs is after warning the disbelievers of “the Day of Distinction”. The chapter points out the humble beginnings of a human being: from a sperm and an egg a human baby is produced. The One Who can perform this can also resurrect the dead: “Didn’t We make the Earth a place for holding back the living and the dead?” (25–26) In the name of God, the Kind, the Caring. T G ’ 1 By the winds that blow non-stop , 11 2 the strong gusty winds, 3 the scattering winds, 4 the shearing winds that forcefully separate, 5 and I swear by the angels who deliver a reminder, 6 sometimes a prayer and sometimes a warning, 7 what you’ve been promised will happen. T D D ;