The Majestic Quran

68. Al-Qalam The Pen The central theme of this early Makkan chapter is a warning to the people of Makkah: if you refuse to believe in the Messenger r , then be prepared to face severe consequences like previous disobedient nations did. To affirm that the Messenger r is trustworthy, and that his Message should be accepted by the Makkans, the chapter opens by acknowledging the beautiful character of Prophet Muhammad r . He possesses truthfulness, kindness, generosity, patience, forgiveness, humility, justice, modesty and thankfulness. This is contrasted with the vices of al- Walid ibn al-Mughira, a ruthless opponent of the Messenger r . The story of the owners of the orchard highlights how much miserliness is disliked by God. The gross injustice of the owners of the orchard is contrasted with the arguably smaller error of Prophet Jonah , who left the city of Nineveh without Divine permission, and was reprimanded severely. The suggestion is that God will not tolerate even minor misdemeanours from His chosen, let alone those who openly oppose God and the Messenger r . The final verse gives us an idea of the dislike with which the Makkans listened to the Majestic Quran. The beloved Prophet r is consoled: their evil eye will not impact him. According to a saying of the Prophet r : “If there is anything that can overcome destiny, it is the evil eye” (Tirmidhi). In the name of God, the Kind, the Caring. 1 Noon . T M ’ r