Al-Qalam - سورة القلم
Introduction of Sura
Names:
This surah is called Surat Al-Qalam. [420] See: As-Sakhawi: Jamal Al-Qurra? wa Kamal Al-Iqra?, p. 92; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/476.
Virtues and characteristics:
Surat Al-Qalam was one of the first parts of the Noble Quran to be revealed.
[421] See: Tafsir ar-Razi, 30/603; Tafsir Al-Alusi, 15/26. It is the last of the surahs according to the sequence of surahs in the Mus-haf that begin with a single letter (Al-huruf Al-muqatta'ah).
[422] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/36. Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Qalam is Makki, and it was narrated that there was consensus regarding that.
[423] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ubn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Biqa?i. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/317; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/318; Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 3/110. Objectives:
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Refuting the accusations that the polytheists made against the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and highlighting their misguidance. [424] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 29/58.
Affirming the perfect qualities of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in this world and the hereafter, and reassuring him. [425] Ibid.
Topics:
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Qalam include:
1- Challenging the polytheists with this Holy Quran.
2- Praising the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) with the best types of praise, and consoling him for what he faced from his enemies.
3- Forbidding the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to compromise with the polytheists, soften his approach to them or go along with any of their devious suggestions.
4- Highlighting the bad attitude of some of the disbelievers, and their requital.
5- Comparing the test of the people of Makkah to that of the people of the garden, so that they might pay heed.
6- Comparing the fates of the good and the evil.
7- Highlighting the foolishness of the polytheists and rebuking them, establishing proof against them and warning them.
8- The surah ends by reassuring the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and instructing him to bear with patience the trouble and annoyance caused by his enemies.