✍️ Divine Narratives: The QALAM (قلم) Concept in Islam
The Qalam (قلم), or the “reed pen,” occupies a profound place in Islamic theology and culture. This term carries multiple layers of meaning, ranging from the literal to the esoteric, and has been the subject of contemplation and reverence throughout Islamic history.
Definition and Meaning
- Qalam (قلم): A reed pen used extensively in historical Islamic Calligraphy and, symbolically, it refers to the divine instrument with which God pre-recorded the fate and actions of all individuals.
Etymology
- Arabic: قلم (qalam), meaning pen.
- Root word: “ق-ل-م” (q-l-m), associated with cutting or shaping, signifying tools used for writing.
Background and Religious Importance
The First Creation
- According to various Hadiths (traditions), the Qalam was the first entity God created. It was given the divine task to write down every decree and occurrence from the beginning of time to the Day of Judgment.
- Hadith Example: “The first thing to be created by Allah was the pen. He said to it: Write.”
Sūrah Al-Qalam
This term is also celebrated as the title of the 68th chapter of the Qur’an, Sūrah Al-Qalam, which accentuates the divine emphasis on knowledge, eloquence, and the significance of writing.
Quotations from Sūrah Al-Qalam:
- Verse 1: “By the pen and what they inscribe.”
- This verse underscores the importance of writing and the preservation of knowledge.
Cultural Perspectives
Islamic Calligraphy
- The Qalam is not merely a writing instrument but a means through which sacred texts are documented and artistic expressions are rendered. The art of Islamic Calligraphy (Khatt) enumerates the Qalam’s cultural richness.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Kalimah (كَلِمَة): Word
- Kitabah (كِتَابَة): Writing
- Suhuf (صُحُف): Scrolls or scriptures
Antonyms
- Orality: Opposite of writing, emphasizing spoken tradition.
Exciting Facts
- Islamic Tradition Honors the Pen: Classical Islamic scholars and writers are often depicted with a qalam in hand, symbolizing wisdom and scholarly distinction.
- The Kufi Script: Early Islamic manuscripts were written using a specific type of Qalam to shape the Kufi script, one of the oldest forms of Arabic script.
Notable Writers
- Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (1372-1449):
- “The pen was indeed instructed to write by the command of Allah. Thus begins the unalterable record of destiny.”
Further Reading and Inspiration
Books and Articles:
- “Islamic Calligraphy: An Introduction to the Art of Qalam” by Sheila Blair
- “Reed Pens and Paper: Essential Tools in the Islamic Golden Age” by Art Wellman
- Al-Mishkat al-Masabih (The Niche for Lamps): A Survey of Variant Traditions" by W.A. Graham
Scholarly Journals:
- “Journal of Quranic Studies” by University of London
- “The Muslim World” by Hartford Seminary
Let’s remember that the humble Qalam symbolizes the profound interplay between divine will and human endeavor—writing our destinies in ink that time cannot erase.
May our journey through the realms of knowledge be inscribed with wisdom and enlightenment, guided by the timeless Qalam.
Farewell:
Thank you for diving deep into the rich meanings of Qalam. May these insights inspire you to seek further wisdom and understanding within the vast world of Islamic traditions.
With inspiration and reverence, Ayesha Rahman October 3, 2023
