Surah Al-Qalam 1-15
By Hisham Abu Yusuf | 2026-10-07T19:08:49.657591+00:00 | Topic: Quran | Masjid: Hisham Abu Yusuf
Summary
Surah Al-Qalam: An Introduction
- Surah Al-Qalam is an early Meccan Surah, revealed during a challenging time for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- It begins by affirming the Prophet's noble character and refuting the accusations of his opponents.
- The Surah also warns against the characteristics of those who deny the truth and oppose guidance.
- It sets a moral compass for believers, highlighting traits to emulate and traits to avoid.
The Prophet's Noble Character & Divine Reward
- Allah directly addresses Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), affirming his sanity and divine grace.
- It promises an unending reward for the Prophet's steadfastness and efforts.
- The verse 'And indeed, you are of a great character' highlights the Prophet's exemplary moral conduct.
- This serves as a foundational praise and reassurance from Allah to His Messenger.
Divine Knowledge: Guidance and Misguidance
- Allah assures the Prophet that the truth will eventually become clear to all.
- The verse emphasizes Allah's ultimate knowledge of who has strayed from His path.
- It also confirms Allah's perfect awareness of those who are rightly guided.
- This provides comfort to believers and a warning to those who deny.
Do Not Obey the Deniers
- A direct command to the Prophet (PBUH) not to yield to the demands of the deniers.
- The deniers wished for the Prophet to compromise his message, hoping they would then soften their stance.
- This highlights the importance of steadfastness in faith and not compromising on divine truth.
- It teaches believers to maintain their principles even when faced with pressure.
Traits to Avoid: The Shameful Liar
- The Quran warns against obeying those who frequently swear false oaths.
- Such individuals are described as 'shameful' (maheen), indicating their lack of dignity and worth.
- This emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and integrity in speech and character.
- Believers are advised to distance themselves from such untrustworthy people.
Traits of the Wicked: Slander, Malice, and Obstruction
- The verses describe individuals who are slanderers (hammaz) and spread malicious gossip (nammām).
- They are also characterized as preventers of good (mannāʿin lil-khayr), hindering righteous deeds.
- Further traits include being transgressing (muʿtadin), sinful (athīm), and cruel (ʿutull).
- This paints a clear picture of the negative qualities believers should avoid and not associate with.
Surah Al-Qalam — Verses 1–15
Allah says in Surah Al-Qalam:
You are not, by the grace of your Lord, mad.
And indeed, for you is a reward that is not to be denied.
And indeed, you are of a great character.
So you will see, and they will see — which of you is the doomed.
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of those who have strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of those who are guided.
So do not obey the deniers.
They wish that you would be humble, so they will be humbled.
And do not obey every shameful liar.
A slanderer, going about with malicious gossip — a preventer of good, transgressing and sinful, cruel, and moreover, an illegitimate pretender — because he has wealth and children. When Our verses are recited to him, he says: "These are legends of the former peoples."