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
۞ وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَآئِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِىَ بِإِذْنِهِۦ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
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 -
لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَـٰبًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ ۖ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
We have certainly sent down to you a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?
وَإِذَا لَمْ تَأْتِهِم بِـَٔايَةٍ قَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا ٱجْتَبَيْتَهَا ۚ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ مِن رَّبِّى ۚ هَـٰذَا بَصَآئِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And when you, [O Muḥammad], do not bring them a sign [i.e., miracle], they say, "Why have you not contrived it?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This [Qur’ān] is enlightenment from your Lord and guidance and mercy for a people who believe."