Like a Drop of Poison in Honey
Surat al-Qalam is one of the first revealed suras. In fact, according to one opinion, it is the second revealed sura, right after the Surat al-Alaq. The interesting thing is that our attention is drawn to the pen in this sura, right after the order "Read!" in the first sura.
Our Lord says :
nuun, wal-qalami wamaa yasturuun
68:1. nuun, by the pen and that which they write
What is pen? What is writing?
Knowledge is recorded through writing. Spoken words fade away, writings continue to remain. Civilizations are built by pen. Experiences and accumulation of knowledge are transferred to future generations by pen. The adventure of pen does not end while writing. As a matter of fact, it just starts at that time. First, writing matures the writer, so that the writer feels the burden of his words on his shoulders. One who does not write talks a lot. One who writes, on the other hand, talks less. Then, that writing matures those who read it. It gives worth to those eyes which read it. And finally, the reader appreciates the value of the writing. Each and every pen used by readers to highlight and underline, matures now the writing itself.
The second point which I found interesting in the Surat al-Qalam is in the following sentence which is addressed to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):
wainnaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeem
68:4. and verily, you are on an exalted standard of morality
"Morality", that is the total of all the moral qualities...the aspect which makes one a man, a human being...which elevates him from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high. Yes, surely, men have their essence. But they also have capabilities which they can improve. These are the qualities that shine when insisted upon with determination and consistency; they degenerate and deteriorate, however, when one follows the satan and his nafs (ego, inner-self). If our intention is to be among the ummah of that beloved Messenger of Allah, it is so obvious that our primary concern should be to correct our morals. How is it possible that we can have the real quality of humanity unless we remove arrogance, ambition, envy, discourtesy, selfishness, and destruction from our hearts?
While continuing to read the sura, we come across trickery and deception which results in nothing but exposing the ones who have them. A typical statement which can be found at all times...then and now. Applying pressure against the Truth in a tricky way and then trying to crush it: "Why don't you compromise with us and we too compromise with you so that we make a deal and we come to a mutual agreement?" Well, an agreement on beliefs cannot be always and easily achieved. Especially when it is shirk that is brought against tawhid...like a drop of poison blended with honey. For those who are already on a wrong path, it is not difficult to take another wrong path. Besides, this is even an indicator that they are not sincere in their claims; an indicator that they can give up their values if they get an appropriate bargain. But then again, calling to falsehood! How wrong, unrighteous and in vain! For indeed, the Truth is so obvious, so clear...impossible to cover and conceal. And that Truth has such a great Deliverer that He will not turn back from His Way even if they put the sun in His one hand and the moon in His other hand.
And then we read the claim that the disbeliever always makes.
When the ayats are recited to him:
...qaala asaateerul-awwaleen
68:15. ...he said: "Tales of the ancients"
The first part of the Surat al-Qalam ends with a powerful example. This is the narrative of the owners of a garden. Those owners had not acknowledged the graces that Allah had bestowed on them. Thay had said "Let's go to our garden early in the morning and pluck the fruits before any poor man enters it". But before they had arrived their garden, a visitation came on the garden from the Lord, which swept away all around. So the garden became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night and in complete ruins. Insomuch that they had suspected that they have lost their way. But one of the owners who was more just than the rest, sees the truth and says: "Did I not tell you? Why do you not glorify Allah?"
To glorify Allah...to feel the Divine Love...
...to be able to say "I love Allah so much".
Our Lord says :
nuun, wal-qalami wamaa yasturuun
68:1. nuun, by the pen and that which they write
What is pen? What is writing?
Knowledge is recorded through writing. Spoken words fade away, writings continue to remain. Civilizations are built by pen. Experiences and accumulation of knowledge are transferred to future generations by pen. The adventure of pen does not end while writing. As a matter of fact, it just starts at that time. First, writing matures the writer, so that the writer feels the burden of his words on his shoulders. One who does not write talks a lot. One who writes, on the other hand, talks less. Then, that writing matures those who read it. It gives worth to those eyes which read it. And finally, the reader appreciates the value of the writing. Each and every pen used by readers to highlight and underline, matures now the writing itself.
The second point which I found interesting in the Surat al-Qalam is in the following sentence which is addressed to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):
wainnaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeem
68:4. and verily, you are on an exalted standard of morality
"Morality", that is the total of all the moral qualities...the aspect which makes one a man, a human being...which elevates him from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high. Yes, surely, men have their essence. But they also have capabilities which they can improve. These are the qualities that shine when insisted upon with determination and consistency; they degenerate and deteriorate, however, when one follows the satan and his nafs (ego, inner-self). If our intention is to be among the ummah of that beloved Messenger of Allah, it is so obvious that our primary concern should be to correct our morals. How is it possible that we can have the real quality of humanity unless we remove arrogance, ambition, envy, discourtesy, selfishness, and destruction from our hearts?
While continuing to read the sura, we come across trickery and deception which results in nothing but exposing the ones who have them. A typical statement which can be found at all times...then and now. Applying pressure against the Truth in a tricky way and then trying to crush it: "Why don't you compromise with us and we too compromise with you so that we make a deal and we come to a mutual agreement?" Well, an agreement on beliefs cannot be always and easily achieved. Especially when it is shirk that is brought against tawhid...like a drop of poison blended with honey. For those who are already on a wrong path, it is not difficult to take another wrong path. Besides, this is even an indicator that they are not sincere in their claims; an indicator that they can give up their values if they get an appropriate bargain. But then again, calling to falsehood! How wrong, unrighteous and in vain! For indeed, the Truth is so obvious, so clear...impossible to cover and conceal. And that Truth has such a great Deliverer that He will not turn back from His Way even if they put the sun in His one hand and the moon in His other hand.
And then we read the claim that the disbeliever always makes.
When the ayats are recited to him:
...qaala asaateerul-awwaleen
68:15. ...he said: "Tales of the ancients"
The first part of the Surat al-Qalam ends with a powerful example. This is the narrative of the owners of a garden. Those owners had not acknowledged the graces that Allah had bestowed on them. Thay had said "Let's go to our garden early in the morning and pluck the fruits before any poor man enters it". But before they had arrived their garden, a visitation came on the garden from the Lord, which swept away all around. So the garden became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night and in complete ruins. Insomuch that they had suspected that they have lost their way. But one of the owners who was more just than the rest, sees the truth and says: "Did I not tell you? Why do you not glorify Allah?"
To glorify Allah...to feel the Divine Love...
...to be able to say "I love Allah so much".
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