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Chapter 68

The Penal-Qalam ( القلم )

52 verses • revealed at Meccan

»The surah that opens with the single discrete Arabic letter Nūn and the oath of the Divine One swearing by the instrument of The Pen, as well as all knowledge that people are able to preserve and communicate thereby. It takes its name from “the pen” (al-qalam) mentioned in verse 1. The surah deals with the accusation that Muḥammad was not God’s Messenger but merely mad (verse 2 ff.). The arrogance of those who assume that, because they have some of the good things in this life, they can reject the Revelation, is rebutted (verse 10 ff.). Examples are given of those who came to regret their arrogance (verse 17 ff.). The Prophet is urged to remain steadfast (verse 48 ff.).«

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Ali Unal: IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ALL-MERCIFUL, THE ALL-COMPASSIONATE

1
ن ۚ وَالقَلَمِ وَما يَسطُرونَ

Ali Unal

This sūrah of 52 verses is one of the earliest Revelations in Makkah. It takes its name from the word al-qalam (the Pen), in the opening verse. It categorically refutes some allegations of the polytheists against God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and proves the office of Prophethood. It cites the perfect character of the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, as the most visible and undeniable proof of his Prophethood. It warns against the evil consequences of ingratitude and unbelief, and promises the believers a happy, eternal life in the Hereafter.
Nun. By the Pen and what they write with it line by line.1
  • Endowing humankind with the capacity of speech is one of God’s greatest blessings. The greatest expression is the Qur’ān, which is also God’s greatest blessing on humankind (55: 1–4). God also draws attention to the fact that He has taught humans to write with the pen (96: 4). One of the basic reasons for which the Qur’ān has come down to us unchanged is that God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, had it written down by scribes, verse by verse. Writing is the most important means of both storing and transmitting information. So, due to this great importance, God swears by the Pen – especially the pens with which the Qur’ān was written down – and what is written with the pen – especially the Qur’ān. Nūn is one of the abbreviated or isolated letters, concerning which see sūrah 2, note 1. In addition to its other meanings or implications, nūn may be referring to the inkpot or similar equipment used in writing. In addition, the Qur’ān calls the Prophet Jonah, upon him be peace, Dhu’n-Nūn (the owner of Nūn) in 21: 87, and verses 48–50 of this sūrah also mention him. So according to some, Nūn also refers to the fish which swallowed up the Prophet Jonah, upon him be peace.