68. Surah Al-Qalam; The Pen 🖊️
(Belived to be the 2nd Surah to be revealed)
A Meccan surah which consists of 52 verses and was revealed before Prophet Muhammad's PBUH migration, during a time when the Quraysh were strongly opposed to the message of Islam. This surah serves as a warning to the people of Makkah, cautioning them that if they reject the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, they will face severe consequences. It also acknowledges and reassures the Prophet about his noble character, highlighting his honesty, patience, forgiveness, humility, justice, modesty, and gratitude. Additionally, the surah makes a reference to Prophet Yunus (Jonah) to reinforce its message.
The surah begins with the Arabic letter 'Nun,' an oath by Allah, highlighting the significance of the pen and writing. Allah commands the pen to record everything in the world, symbolizing the importance of documentation. The surah reassures the Prophet PBUH, declaring that he is not a madman despite the accusations from his detractors. His reward will be 'unlimited', serving as reassurance for the Prophet PBUH and a reminder that he must continue calling people to Islam with wisdom (hikmah), never losing hope in the process of dawah.
Verses 4-8 then provide reassurance for the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, encouraging him to remain firm, confident, and determined. Allah assures the Prophet that both he and his opponents will eventually see the truth. The disbelievers, who deny the truth, will be exposed as liars. The surah also emphasizes that Islam is a firm stance, and believers must not compromise their values. Lying, one of the most severe sins, is condemned, as it was considered immoral even before Islam, with an example of Abu Sufyan explaining the shamefulness of lying.
Verses 9-11 states the disbelievers asking the Prophet to 'soften' and compromise Islamic principles to gain their support and empathy. The surah warns against such compromises, reminding the Prophet PBUH not to yield to the deniers of Islam. The verses also emphasize the evil of malicious gossip and backbiting, stressing that they are among the worst sins one can commit.
Moreover, verses 11-13 continue to explain the type of people to stay away from. People who are 'preventers of good' are sinners and should be avoided. The surah highlights the importance of good companions for achieving success in both this life and the next.
Throughout verses 11-24, Allah points out how wealth, especially generational wealth, can lead to sinful characteristics. The disbelievers, when the Quran is recited to them, will reject it and continue to lie. Allah reminds them that they have been given eyes, ears, and hearts, but they refuse to use their senses to accept Islam. On the Day of Judgment, they will not be able to lie or deny their rejection of the truth. The story of the miserly landlords of the orchard is presented, where they plot to prevent the poor from eating the fruit of their orchard. The landowners, selfish and greedy, wake up early to cut all the crops and hide them for themselves, confident that the poor will not come to eat from their fruit. This serves as a reminder that material wealth does not equate to spiritual wealth, and those who become arrogant because of their wealth will face consequences.
In verses 24-32, it is accounted that Allah deprives the landowners of the blessings they once had, and in their loss, they start to remember Allah. This ironic turn of events illustrates how the wealthy, who once boasted of their prosperity, now seek Allah in their difficulty. The people admit their sins but end up blaming one another for their wrongdoings. The surah emphasizes that self-accountability is key, and one should not point fingers at others but instead reflect on their own actions.
In verses 32-44, Allah declares that the punishment of the Hereafter is much worse. For the righteous, there are Gardens of Pleasure awaiting them, while the disbelievers will face severe punishment. The surah encourages believers to have faith in Allah and seek His guidance, for the rewards of the righteous are beyond comprehension. There will be no excuses on the Day of Judgment, especially in a time when knowledge is so easily accessible through books and technology. Each individual will be responsible for their own actions, and no one will be able to shift the blame. On that day, Allah will invite everyone to prostrate, but only the believers will be able to do so (68.42).
Finally, verses in 44-48, Allah instructs the Prophet PBUH to leave the matter of those who deny the Quran to Him. If people choose to reject the message, the Prophet’s duty is to convey the message and then leave the outcome to Allah. Allah will give them time to repent before they face punishment, and His plan is always firm and merciful. Allah advises the Prophet to have patience. The story of Prophet Yunus is recounted: Yunus, frustrated by his people’s rejection, left them and boarded a boat. When a storm struck, he was cast into the sea, where a whale swallowed him. In the whale’s belly, Yunus repented, prayed, and held himself accountable for his actions. Allah accepted his repentance and instructed the whale to release him. This story serves as a reminder to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH to trust Allah’s wisdom and have patience. The surah concludes by reassuring that Allah will guide anyone who seeks His guidance and answers from the Quran, filling their hearts with light. It emphasizes the importance of seeking Allah’s guidance and remaining steadfast in faith, for those who sincerely seek the truth will find it.
- Never stop giving Dawah, we must always call people to Islam with the purest of intentions
- Never compromise on Islamic principles
- Importance of good companions
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