Surah Al-Qalam
Surah 68 · The Pen · 52 verses · meccan
The Pen — al-Qalam, sworn by in the opening verse. Among the earliest revelations.
The story
Some men owned a lovely garden. They planned to pick all the fruit very early so poor people would not come and ask for any. When they arrived, the whole garden had been ruined overnight.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1-16
The pen and the character
Sanity affirmed, an unending reward promised, and great character declared.
AYAH 17-33
The garden at dawn
A plan to shut out the poor, a stripped field, mutual blame, and regret.
AYAH 48-52
Patience like the man of the fish
The Prophet ﷺ told to be patient — but not like Yunus, who called out while suppressing anguish.
Verses to carry
- 68:4"And indeed, you are of a great moral character."
- 68:17The garden owners who plotted to exclude the poor — and lost everything before sunrise.
- 68:48"So be patient for the decision of your Lord, and be not like the companion of the fish."
Remember this
Allah described the Prophet ﷺ as having beautiful character. That is the highest compliment in the Quran.
Talk about it
The garden owners tried to keep everything for themselves. What could they have done instead?