وَالسّابِحاتِ سَبحًا

By those who swim smoothly.

EXEGESIS

Sabḥ is accelerated motion.^{‎[1]Mizan, 20/179.} Sabaḥa, the root of the word sabḥ, can also mean to float or swim.^{‎[2]Lisan, 2/470.}

From a strictly linguistic angle, verse 3 can refer to any one of: 1. The angels that come hastily from the heavens with a command from God.^{‎[3]Tibyan, 10/252, narrated from Mujāhid.} 2. The stars, in reference to this verse: and each swims in an orbit (36:40).^{‎[4]Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from Qatādah and Jubbāʾī.} 3. The horses of soldiers as they charge forward.^{‎[5]Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from Abū Muslim.} 4. The ships that travel over water.^{‎[6]Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from ʿAṭāʾ.} 5. The clouds.^{‎[7]Mizan, 20/180.} 6. The sea creatures.^{‎[8]Mizan, 20/180.}

[1] Mizan, 20/179.
[2] Lisan, 2/470.
[3] Tibyan, 10/252, narrated from Mujāhid.
[4] Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from Qatādah and Jubbāʾī.
[5] Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from Abū Muslim.
[6] Tabrisi, 10/652, narrated from ʿAṭāʾ.
[7] Mizan, 20/180.
[8] Mizan, 20/180.