وَكِتَـٰبٍ مَّسْطُورٍ 2
Translations
And [by] a Book inscribed
Transliteration
wa-kitaabin mastoor
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to 'a written book' or 'a written scripture,' which classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret as the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) or the Qur'an itself, both of which are clear and preserved records of divine guidance. The word 'mastoor' (مسطور) meaning 'written' or 'inscribed' emphasizes the permanence and clarity of Allah's message, distinguishing it from mere oral traditions or uncertain knowledge.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the beginning of Surah At-Tur (Chapter 52), which opens with oaths establishing the truthfulness of the Qur'an and the Day of Judgment. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet (ﷺ), and these opening verses serve to affirm the divine authority and inviolability of the Qur'anic message against those who denied it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Verily this Qur'an is a rope of Allah, it is a light and a healing' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2906).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us of the reliability and permanence of the Qur'an as a written, preserved divine text—a source of guidance that has remained unchanged throughout history. It encourages us to recognize the Qur'an as a trustworthy foundation for our faith and to value the written transmission of sacred knowledge in preserving religious truth.
Related Ayahs
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.
فِيهَا كُتُبٌ قَيِّمَةٌ
Within which are correct writings [i.e., rulings and laws].
ثُمَّ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تَمَامًا عَلَى ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We gave Moses the Scripture, making complete [Our favor] upon the one who did good [i.e., Moses] and as a detailed explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy that perhaps in the meeting with their Lord they would believe.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -