Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

May Allah increase you in knowlege and wisdom

What does really "Al-Qalam" refer in the Quran?

Like in 96.4 and 68.1

Is it in any way comparable with the "pen" we use to write with?
Jazak Allah min Khair 

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Answer:

What is Qalam or Pen Quran

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 68 Surah Nun verses 1-2:

1 Nun. By the Pen and by the (Record) which the writers write.

2 Thou (O Prophet (saws)) art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 96 Surah Alaq verses 3-5:

3 Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful

4 He Who taught (the use of) the Pen

5 Taught man that which he knew not.

The Arabic and Quranic term ‘Qalam’ means a tool which is used to write or record something, and very much comparable to the tools that are used to write or record, like a pen, etc.

In the context of the Quran, both the above references are to the generic term ‘qalam’ or ‘pen’, and there is no reason to believe that a particular or specific or special pen is meant or referred to in the above verses. That is how this term was understood by the Messenger of Allah (saws), and if there was any specific or particular ‘pen’ meant by the above Aayahs, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would have definitely made it known to the believers. Thus the real meaning of the Quranic term ‘Qalam’ is the general pen or tool with which a writer writes.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan