Charging steeds or maidens performing good deeds: a re-interpretation of Q100 (al-ʿĀdiyāt)

As I mentioned in Chapter 4, the introductory “oath clusters” of Q37, Q51, Q77, Q79, and Q100 were particularly challenging to the Qurʾān commentators, who were unsure about the reference of the participle that begins each sūra. They speculated that the participles refer to a variety of objects or natural phenomena, e.g., angels, messengers, stars, the wind, death, the soul, bows, ships, horses or camels.