Ibn Abbas mentioned that Surat al Qalam was the second surah to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Not all of the surah was revealed at once, just as not all of Surat al Alaq, the first surah to be revealed was conveyed in one go. The surahs which followed these two revelations, were to be revealed were Surahs Muzzammil and Muddaththir. The Pen The surah’s is name The Pen (Al Qalam). Al Qalam is a symbol of knowledge. We use the pen to exchange ideas and transfer knowledge. The very first thing Allah Almighty created was the pen. He commanded it to write down everything that would happen. The symbolism of the pen is not confined to writing, but to any means of delivering knowledge. Knowledge is important in Islam. It is no coincidence that the first surah begins with the word Iqra (reading) and the second surah by swearing on the pen, the tool for writing. ‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, the first to be created by Allah was the pen. Allah told it to write, so it wrote all that will exist until forever.” (Tirmidhi) The main theme Surat al Qalam was revealed in Makkah, and bears the hallmarks of Makkan surahs, as it challenges the status quo and disbelief. It questions the old traditions, superstitions and myths which the community were clinging to, and their idolatry which is so displeasing to Allah Almighty. Correcting aqeedah (belief) and imaan (faith), the surah’s tone is interrogative and attacks their intellect: What is the matter with you? How do you judge? (68:36) Or do they have associate-gods ˹supporting this claim˺? Then let them bring forth their associate-gods, if what they say … Continue reading Surat al Qalam – What lessons are there in the second revelation?