نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ 1
Translations
Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe,
Transliteration
Nun, wa-al-qalami wa-ma yasturun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Qalam begins with the mysterious letter 'Nun' (ن), followed by Allah's oath by the pen and what it writes, emphasizing the importance of written knowledge and record-keeping. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as Allah swearing by the instrument of writing and the act of recording, highlighting that knowledge preservation through writing is a divine favor and essential means of conveying truth. The ayah serves as a prelude to the surah's defense of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) against accusations of being a poet or madman, establishing that divine revelation—not mere human composition—is being transmitted.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Qalam was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh attacked the Prophet's character, claiming he was possessed or a poet. This opening oath defends the authenticity of the revelation and the reliability of the written word as testimony to truth. The surah contextually addresses doubts about the Prophet's message and the integrity of divine communication.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever leaves behind children or wealth or righteous knowledge, verily from the good deeds that reach him [after death]' relates to the preservation of knowledge through writing (Sahih Muslim 1631).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the sacred responsibility to preserve, record, and transmit knowledge truthfully, recognizing that writing and documentation are divine instruments for guiding humanity toward truth and protecting revelation from distortion.