Al-Qalam (The Pen)
Verse 1 - 4
Table of Contents
Section (juz’) 29
Number of Verses: 52
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Chapter, revealed in Mecca, has 52 Verses. Some Qur’an exegetes have entertained doubts about the Revelation of all the blessed Verses of the Chapter in Mecca, though the Chapter stands in total harmony with Meccan Chapters in terms of tone and content, since above all, it treats of the Noble Prophet’s (S) Prophetic call and confrontation with the foes who regarded him as insane, call to patience and steadfastness, and warning the opponents against Divine torments.
All in all, the topics discussed in the Chapter may be epitomized as follows:
1. The blessed Chapter opens with some of the excellences peculiar to the Messenger of Allah (S), particularly his nobilities, and proceeds to lay emphasis on them.
2. The blessed Chapter proceeds with an enumeration of his foes’ vices.
3. Making mention of the people of Paradise actually serves as a warning against the evil polytheists.
4. Mention is also made of miscellaneous material regarding the Day of Resurrection and the disbelievers’ torments.
5. The Noble Prophet of the Islamic faith (S) is enjoined to persevere and exercise patience against obdurate foes.
6. Warnings against polytheists.
7. Finally, the blessed Chapter in question closes with the glory of the Holy Qur’an and different conspiracies of enemies against the Noble Prophet (S).
The designation of the Chapter, mentioned by some as Nun, derives from the opening Verse. Though some of the traditions narrated on the merits of the blessed Chapter reflect that the title is Nun wa ’l-Qalam.
The Merit of Reciting the Chapter
In this vein, it is narrated from the Noble Prophet (S) that one who recites the Chapter Nun wa ’l-Qalam shall be granted the Divine Rewards in store for those who possess moral nobilities.1
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that one who recites the Chapter Nun wa ’l-Qalam in his obligatory or supererogatory ritual prayers shall be safeguarded by God Almighty against indigence for good and shall be secure against the pressures of the grave upon his demise and shall be granted Divine Graciousness.2 It is worthy of note, however, that being granted such Rewards is subject to honoring religious obligations rather than paying lip service to the same.
Surah al-Qalam - Verses 1-4
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ ن وَ الْقَلَمِ وَ ما يَسْطُرُونَ (1) ما أَنْتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ (2) وَ إِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْراً غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ (3) وَ إِنَّكَ لَعَلی خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ (4)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1. By Nun, the pen and by what they write.
2. You, by the Grace of your Lord, are not insane.
3. And for you shall be a Great and Everlasting Reward.
4. And you possess an exalted character.
The Chapter in question is the only One opening with the detached letter nun. Mention has been made above as to the detached letter, particularly under the opening blessed Verses of Chapters 2, 3, and 7.
What is worthy of note herein is that some Qur’anic exegetes maintain that the detached letter is a hypochoristicon of and an allusion to the Arabic Divine Attribute rahman (“the Most Gracious”), though some have considered it as a metalypsis alluding to a river in Paradise.
The blessed Verse 1 contains oaths taken as to two most significant issues in human life, saying:
“By the pen and by what they write.”
The oath is quite astonishing, since the object of the oath is seemingly an insignificant point, a piece of reed or something resembling the same and a little black material.
Nonetheless, it is the fountainhead of all human civilizations, advancements, and development of sciences, awakening of thought, formation of religions and schools of thought, and the springhead of human guidance and awareness such that human life thereby falls into pre-historic and historic eras.
Human history begins by the discovery of writing through which man was able to record the story of his life and left behind
“what they write.”
The majestic nature of the oath is rendered further evident by according attention to the point that such blessed Verses were revealed when there were no writers in that milieu and the number of the illiterate inhabitants of Mecca, the focal point of devotions, politics, and economy of Hijaz, did not exceed twenty.
Thus, swearing by the pen in such milieu is of a particular majesty.
It would be of interest to make mention of the point that the earliest Verses revealed onto the noble and pure heart of the Noble Prophet (S) on the “Mountain of Light” (Jabal al-Nur) and at the “Cave of Hira” reveal the exalted significance of the pen: “Recite! In the Name of your Lord Who has created [the world of existence]. He has created man from a clot [a piece of thick coagulated blood]. Recite! And our Lord is the Greatest Who has taught man by the pen. He has taught him that which he knew not”3 .
The most interesting point is that an illiterate person recited such Words bearing testimony to the truth that the Holy Qur’an is but Divine Revelation.
Some Qur’anic exegetes maintain that the Arabic word qalam (“pen, calamus”) herein connotes the pen by which archangels record Divine Revelation or the records of human deeds, though the contextual meaning of the blessed Verse in question is broader in scope and such interpretation may be considered as one of its senses.
Likewise
“what they write”
is also broad in its semantic implications encompassing whatever is recorded of treading the path of guidance and the intellectual, moral, and practical developments of mankind without being restricted to recording Divine Revelation or human deeds.
The blessed Verse 2 treats of the object of the oath, saying that owing to Divine Graciousness, you are not insane, namely those who unfoundedly allege that your are insane are blind in their hearts failing to behold all these Divine Blessings and Bounties conferred upon you, e.g. the Bounties of great intellect and insight, trustworthiness, sincerity, knowledge, Prophetic Call, and infallibility.
They are insane who falsely allege that the possessor of intellect par excellence is insane and thereby distance from the guide and leader of mankind through posing such unfounded allegations.
The blessed Verse 3 is saying that Great and Everlasting Divine Rewards are in store for you, since you persevere on the Straight Path against such unfounded claims and even set your hopes on their deliverance and salvation without experiencing exhaustion consequent to your endeavors made on the path. The Arabic adjectival form mamnun derives from m-n-n (“sever”) connoting endless and everlasting Rewards.
The blessed Verse 4 presents another depiction of the Noble Prophet (S), saying that he possesses great and marvelous nobilities of character, unrivalled purity and sincerity, and indescribable patience, perseverance, steadfastness, and forbearance.
He calls people unto obedience to God Almighty, worships Him more than anyone else, forbid people of committing vices, exercises forbearance, providing those harming and hurting him with admonition.
He invokes God Almighty to forgive the sins of those who slander him. He prays to God Almighty to bestow His Guidance upon those who hit him with rocks and cast hot ashes on his head. He is the focal point of love and the springhead of mercy. The Arabic word khuluq, cognate with khilqat (“creation”) connotes the inherent purity of heart which becomes the second nature of man.4