An-Nazi'at Verse 4

and those taking the lead vigorously,

and those who overtake one another as in a race,

and those that outstrip suddenly

overtaking swiftly

And then they speed with foremost speed.

Then press forward as in a race,

and vie with the others (in carrying out their Lord's behests);

Then outpace the others swiftly

And who quickly present themselves.

by those who, racing, take the lead,

And so hasten along as if in a race;

Then those who going foremost greatly excel (all others and attain the topmost positions),

So the racing/surpassing/preceding, racing/surpassing/preceding.

And who quickly present themselves.

Then press forward as in a race,

And by those that press forward as in a race (i.e. the angels or stars or the horses, etc.).

And those regulating the Affair!

Then those who are foremost going ahead,

By the angels hastening,

by the angels who hasten along

and the outstrippers (angels), outstripping,

And by the racers, racing.

by those that outstrip them suddenly,

And those who race swiftly.

by those that race forward, [by] the angels who race forward to Paradise with the souls of believers;

And by the racers, racing.

It has been narrated from Ali, Masruq, Mujahid, Abu Salih, and Al-Hasan Al-Basri that this means the angels.

Then Allah says,

فَالْمُدَبِّرَاتِ أَمْرًا