Lawh Mahfuz - The Eternal Well-Preserved Tablet in Islam 📜§
Definition and Meaning§
Lawh Mahfuz (Arabic: اللوح المحفوظ) translates to the “Well-preserved Tablet” and is referenced in the Quran in verse 85:22 (fi lawhin mahfuzin). According to Islamic belief, it is the divine and eternal tablet upon which Allah inscribes all knowledge, including the text of the Quran. This divine record is safeguarded in heaven, evidencing Allah’s omniscience and predetermined plan for the universe.
Etymology§
The term Lawh Mahfuz derives from the Arabic words:
- Lawh (لَوْحٌ / lawh) meaning tablet or board
- Mahfuz (مَحْفُوظٌ / maḥfūẓ) meaning preserved or protected
Lawh Mahfuz thus encapsulates a tablet that is eternally safeguarded and protected from any corruption or alteration.
Historical Context and Background§
In Islamic tradition, Lawh Mahfuz is closely linked to the concept of preordained destiny (Qadar). Medieval exegetes such as Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir elaborated on its significance, emphasizing that it holds the archetypes of every revelation and divine decree. According to the Hadith, everything that has happened and will happen is inscribed in this immutable tablet, highlighting Allah’s complete and eternal knowledge.
Cultural Interpretations and Textual Synonyms§
Muslim communities worldwide revere the notion of Lawh Mahfuz as part of their spiritual understanding of divine mercy and wisdom. The concept also carries overtones of deep theological reflection akin to “Umm al-Kitab” (أم الكتاب, “Mother of the Book”), another term in the Quran signaling the primary source of divine instruction and wisdom (Quran 3:6; 13:39; 43:3).
Related Terms:
- Qadar (destiny)
- Kitab (book)
- Umm al-Kitab (Mother of the Book)
Synonyms:
- Book of Decrees
- Heavenly Record
- Divine Script
Antonyms:
- Worldly text
- Temporal writings
- Ordinary records
Exciting Facts and Quotations§
- Fact: Lawh Mahfuz is beyond human access and comprehension, reinforcing the mystery and sanctity of divine knowledge according to heightened Islamic perspectives.
- Quotation: Reflect on the profound words of Jalal al-Din Rumi, “The secrets written in the Lawh Mahfuz are beyond the grasp of mind; yet they color creation in roses and thorns.”
Suggested Literature and Further Reading§
- “The Meanings of the Glorious Quran” by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
- “The Divine Decree” by Abdul Malik al-Qasim
- “The Qur’anic Concept of Wisdom” by Inamullah Shaikh
Inspirational Thought 💫§
As you ponder the depth and continuity of Lawh Mahfuz, let it instill in you a sense of the eternal wisdom and all-encompassing knowledge of the Divine, reminding you of the interconnectedness of existence and divine decree.
Published by Rahim Al-Zahra, 2023-10-03
“The divine writ of Lawh Mahfuz transcends time and space, imbuing the essence of faith with eternal and boundless wisdom.”
