Surah al-Qalam Reflections

The Blessing of the Pen

Sūrah al-Qalam opens with a powerful oath declaring the honour, truthfulness, and noble character of the Prophet ﷺ and refuting the accusations of the disbelievers who called him mad. Allah says:

نٓ ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُوْنَ مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُوْنٍ وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُوْنٍ وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيْمٍ

 “Nūn. By the Pen and what they write — By the grace of your Lord, you (O Prophet) are not insane. And indeed, for you is a reward that will never end. And you are truly (a man) of outstanding character.” (68:1-4)

• Allah’s oath “by the Pen and what they write” highlights the enormous blessing of writing and the knowledge it brings. The pen is a divine gift through which humanity learns, communicates and carries truth across generations. Qatādah said: “The pen is a tremendous blessing from Allah. Without it, the dīn would not be established and life would not function.”
• Through writing, knowledge spreads, civilisations rise, guidance is preserved, and communities are shaped. 
• This oath elevates the value of writing in a society where literacy was rare. Allah was preparing this Ummah to carry His message to the world, and strong literacy would be essential for that mission.

Reflect: How are you benefitting from the writings of the scholars of the Ummah?

The Excellence of the Prophet ﷺ

Allah ﷻ says: 

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيْمٍ

“And you are truly (a man) of outstanding character.” (68:4). 

• This verse is among the most profound affirmations of the Prophet’s ﷺ nobility and moral perfection. ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “His character was the Qur’ān.” Every word, action and intention of the Prophet ﷺ reflected the Qur’ān. He embodied justice, wisdom, truth, and the highest moral excellence in all matters.
• The Prophet ﷺ did not merely follow the Qur’ān; he was its living translation. His speech articulated its details, his knowledge stemmed from it, and his actions conformed entirely to its commands. He loved what it commanded, shunned what it forbade, and strove tirelessly to implement it.
• This moral greatness encompasses all virtues: deep knowledge and wisdom, steadfast patience and gratitude, sincere worship and generosity, humility and simplicity, compassion and mercy, refined social conduct, and all other noble traits. Allah ﷻ combined in him the highest qualities, a perfection no human can fully grasp.

Act: What is one meaningful change I can make to align my character more closely with the Prophet’s ﷺ?

Don’t Compromise

فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِيْنَ.‏ وَدُّوْا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُوْنَ‏

“So, do not obey those who reject the truth —  they want you to compromise with them so that they can compromise with you.” (68:8-9)

• These verses warn us against giving in to the demands of those who reject the truth. Such “softening” (mudāhanah), where core principles are compromised to please others, is often the first step towards abandoning the truth.

• A true believer does not give up any part of their creed, whether small or great. Imān is a single, indivisible reality in the heart, and every concession to falsehood weakens it.

Act: Never shy away from the truth to accommodate the people of falsehood.

Protect Your Heart

وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِيْنٍ هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۢ بِنَمِيْم

“And do not obey the despicable, vain oath-taker, slanderer, gossip-monger.” (68:10-11)

• Excessive swearing, whether truthful or false, indicates a lack of reverence for Allah. Whoever belittles Allah in their heart, Allah makes them lowly and dishonourable in this world and the Hereafter.
• A believer must avoid corrupt behaviour such as backbiting and gossip, as these poison the heart and destroy bonds of brotherhood and trust.

Act: How can you help prevent gossip and backbiting in your social circles?

The Eternal Bliss of Paradise

إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِيْنَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيْمِ ‎

“Indeed, the righteous will have the Gardens of Bliss with their Lord.” (68:34)

• Paradise is ultimate bliss; free from the trials, fatigue, and imperfections of this world.
• Always keep in mind the reality of Paradise: the eternal joy Allah has prepared for His obedient servants.
• Whenever you feel worn down or weighed down by the hardships of this life, remind yourself of the bliss of Paradise. And when laziness or a lack of motivation holds you back from good deeds, let the thought of Paradise renew your resolve.

The Importance of Sujud

وَقَدْ كَانُوْا يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُوْدِ وَهُمْ سَالِمُوْنَ ‎ يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ وَّيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُوْدِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيْعُوْنَ خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّة ‎

“(Beware of) the Day the Shin (of Allah) will be bared, and (the wicked) will be asked to prostrate, but they will not be able to do so, with eyes downcast, totally covered with disgrace. For they were called to prostrate (in the world) when they were fully capable (but they chose not to).” (68:43)

• The ‘baring of the Shin’ refers to the terrifying severity of that Day — a moment of immense awe and difficulty, when the power of Allah is fully manifested, and the disbelievers are called to prostrate yet cannot, despite their former health and strength. Their eyes will be humbled, their hearts overwhelmed with remorse, because in the world they were called to prostrate while fully able, yet they neglected it.
• Imām al-Rāzī (raḥimahullāh) notes that this inability is not a new punishment but a divine rebuke: Allah denies them the very means to prostrate, magnifying their grief over what they abandoned in life.
• Sujūd draws a servant closest to their Lord. Whoever distances themselves from Allah by abandoning this act in this life will find themselves far from Him on the Day of Judgement, deprived of the honour of closeness forever.

Act: Never postpone or neglect your prayers, for sujūd is the pinnacle of closeness to Allah, and abandoning it carries serious consequences.

When ‘Success’ Is a Warning

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فَذَرْنِيْ وَمَنْ يُّكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ وَأُمْلِيْ لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِيْ مَتِيْنٌ

“So leave to Me (O Prophet) those who reject this message. We will gradually draw them to destruction in ways they cannot comprehend. And I give them respite. Indeed, My plan is firm.” (68:44-5)

• Many people are led on through blessings — praised by others, showered with comforts, their faults concealed — yet all of it may be nothing but a gradual path towards ruin. How many are deluded by their good fortune, unaware that it may be a test and not a sign of divine approval.
• Health, wealth, success, reputation, and long life are not always signs of being favoured. At times, they serve to establish proof against a person, increasing their heedlessness until punishment comes suddenly.
• Allah ﷻ warns that He may grant the oppressor more power, more followers, and more opportunity — not as honour, but as a rope by which he pulls himself to destruction. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not let him go.”
• Allah’s ‘plan’ is perfect not in deceit, but in certainty. He openly warns His servants, allowing every chance to turn back before it is too late, so that no one can claim ignorance on the Day when secrets are exposed.

• Let this āyah be a mirror for your heart: blessings are only good when they draw you nearer to Allah. But if they push you further from Him, they may be the very steps leading to your downfall.

Reflect: Are my blessings draw me closer to Allah or further from Him?

The Prophet’s ﷺ Steadfastness

وَإِنْ يَّكَادُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَيُزْلِقُوْنَكَ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ إِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُوْنٌ

“And indeed the disbelievers seem to trip you up with their glances when they hear the Reminder, and say, “He is a madman indeed.” (68:51)

• The disbelievers were so consumed by hatred for the Prophet ﷺ that their piercing looks almost made him slip, as if to strike him down with their eyes. Their stares carried venom: hostility, envy, spite, and a burning desire to see him harmed. Ibn ʿAbbās said: “They almost caused him to fall with their eyes due to their intense enmity.” 
• This verse affirms the reality of the evil eye, by Allah’s permission.

• Envy and hatred are spiritual diseases that drive a person to wish for the downfall of others. The hatred of the early disbelievers for the Qur’ān is no greater than the hatred shown by many enemies of Islam today.
• Even when surrounded by malice, the Prophet ﷺ stood firm, upheld by revelation. His example is a reminder that Divine truth is never shaken by the stares of the spiteful nor the slander of the ignorant.

Act: Always guard your heart against envy and hatred.