Juz 29: Al-Mulk to Al-Mursalāt
Section 4 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
4. The Character of Prophet Muhammad in Surah Al-Qalam
Surah Al-Qalam (The Pen) holds a special position in the Quranic revelation, being among the earliest surahs revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Its opening verses provide a divine testament to the Prophet's character and mission, refuting the false accusations made against him by his opponents.
The surah begins with the enigmatic letter "نون" (Noon) followed by an oath:
ن وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
“Nūn. By the pen and what they write.”
This oath by the pen and what is written demonstrates the immense importance Allah (swt) places on knowledge, writing, and documentation. The pen represents the preservation of knowledge and its transmission across generations. By swearing by the pen, Allah (swt) elevates the status of written knowledge and establishes its significance in human civilization and the Islamic mission.
Immediately following this oath, Allah (swt) addresses His Messenger with a powerful reassurance:
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
“With the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.”
This direct divine testimony refutes the accusations of madness that the Meccan disbelievers directed at the Prophet (peace be upon him). Allah (swt) categorically states that the Prophet is sound of mind, firmly establishing his credibility and affirming the divine origin of his message.
This defense is followed by the promise of an endless reward:
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
“And surely for you is a reward that will never end.”
The term "غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ" (never ending) indicates that the Prophet's reward is both immense and eternal, reflecting the magnitude of his mission and his perfect adherence to divine guidance.
Perhaps the most profound testimony to the Prophet's character comes in verse 4:
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
“And you are surely on an excellent standard of character.”
This verse establishes the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the embodiment of perfect moral character. The term "خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ" (excellent standard of character) encompasses the totality of virtuous traits—honesty, kindness, patience, courage, generosity, and integrity. This divine attestation is significant because even before receiving revelation, the Prophet was known among his people as "Al-Amin" (The Trustworthy).
This verse is corroborated by Aisha's (may Allah be pleased with her) famous statement that the Prophet's character was the Quran