فِى لَوْحٍ مَّحْفُوظٍۭ 22
Translations
[Inscribed] in a Preserved Slate.
Transliteration
Fee lawhin mahfuz
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz), the divine record in which Allah has written all that will occur until the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this tablet represents Allah's perfect knowledge and predestination of all events, emphasizing that the Qur'an itself and all of creation are preserved and protected by Allah's divine will. The phrase affirms that nothing can be altered or lost from Allah's perfect record and plan.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the conclusion of Surah Al-Buruj, which emphasizes Allah's power, knowledge, and protection. The surah addresses the persecution of believers and serves to comfort Muslims by reminding them that Allah's justice and omniscience are absolute. The reference to the Preserved Tablet contextualizes divine justice within Allah's eternal knowledge and decree.
Related Hadiths
The concept is reinforced in a hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The first thing Allah created was the Pen, and He said to it: Write. It said: My Lord, what should I write? He said: Write the decree of all things until the Hour comes.' This hadith directly relates to the Lawh Al-Mahfuz mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort and reassurance in knowing that Allah possesses complete knowledge of all events and maintains perfect control over creation, which should strengthen their trust in His wisdom and justice regardless of worldly trials. This knowledge should motivate believers to focus on righteous actions while accepting Allah's decree with patience and faith.