The Qur'an teaches that the pen is mightier than the sword

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: The other day I ran into an old school friend and as we parted we promised to stay in contact and began to exchange e-mail address and phone numbers, however, not wanting to rely on a rather ‘iffy’ memory I thought it best to write it down.

Well, I searched and she searched for a pen, on my goodness, I felt desperate, because I knew if I did not have it written in ink, I would surely not remember the contact details and again contact may be lost.

So desperate were we that we ran inside of the Youth Library on Church Street, and asked to use a pen. Of course, we were ever so kindly obliged.

Whew, never knew a pen could be so significant, then again if you think about it a pen is indeed very significant.

Imagine if you went to school without a pen or writing instrument. In business, imagine the million dollar deals that could not be sealed if not for the pen.

The pen is so significant that Surah 68 of the Holy Quran is entitled Al-Qalam which means the pen. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write, Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed. Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing: (And thou (stands) on an exalted standard of character. Soon wilt thou see, and they will see, (Which of you is afflicted with madness?). Verily it is thy Lord that knoweth best, which (among men) hath strayed from His Path: and He knoweth best those who receive (true) Guidance. So hearken not to those who deny (the Truth).

The written word

The scribes of ancient days where respected and honoured men because of their significant duty and accountability, since they were responsible for writing down the word as it was relayed to them and account for message contained in the holy books that we have today.

No doubt the pen is an instrument to be respected.  Undoubtedly, without the pen, we would not have the written word.

Pens are singly the most ‘stolen’ commodity today. Ask anybody who has a pen, where did they get it from and most will answer that they do not know. 

Most pens are taken unconsciously, but taken never the less; this is why most places of business tie their pens down. Pens are so valuable. Many times when you wish to give a really nice gift, what do you give? Of course, a very expensive pen!

I taught a course once where at the end the students presented me, as a mark of their appreciation, with a lovely pen set.

My sister June also gave me a lovely and rather expensive pen as a gift. These pens I will cherish forever.

Allah’s gift to us is the scriptures via the pen compiled and known as the Holy Qur’an. Allah describes the Qur’an as being a guidance, a light, and a cure for what is in the breasts of men. He also described it as being a Mercy.

We can safely say that from the pen came the best gift of all: This is the Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessing that they may ponder over its Verses”    (38:29).

The Quran is a gift to be cherished and appreciated:  And thus we have sent to you, an inspiration and a mercy of our command (42:52).

Wouldn’t you agree ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’.