سُوْرَةُ الْقَلَمِ

Surah Al-Qalam (68) — Ayah 4

The Pen · Meccan · Juz 29 · Page 564

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿4﴾
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
وَإِنَّكَ wa-innaka And indeed, you
لَعَلَىٰ laʿalā surely (are)
خُلُقٍ khuluqin (of) a moral character
عَظِيمٍۢ ʿaẓīmin great

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

4. 1 By "khuluq azeem" is meant Islam, religion, or the Quran. The meaning is that you are upon that character which Allah has commanded you in the Quran or in the religion.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

And indeed, you are of a great [5] moral character.

[5]
Your Exalted Character:

The height of your ﷺ character was such that you ﷺ continued to pray for the well-being of those who taunted, mocked, caused harm, and even stoned you. Furthermore, you were so eager for the guidance of such people that you were exhausting yourself in this endeavor. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ says that you ﷺ never took revenge on anyone for your own sake. Then, when Makkah was conquered, all your mortal enemies were sitting before you. Among them were those who had forced you to leave your home and had set a price on your life, and who had repeatedly attacked Madinah in order to wipe out Islam and the Prophet of Islam ﷺ from existence. And at that time, you had the power and ability to take revenge on them. But when these enemies began to look at you with pleading eyes, you ﷺ forgave them all with a single sentence: ﴿لاَ تَثْرِيْبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ. اذْهَبُوْا أنْتُمُ الطُّلَقَاء﴾. That is, today there is no reproach upon you. Go, all of you are free. This was your high moral conduct even with your enemies. Your general character was such that an old woman would stop you on your way and tell you her story, and you would not mind. In this way, there are countless aspects of your ﷺ character, with which the books of hadith are filled. It is impossible to mention them all here. Thus, once someone asked Sayyidah Aisha ؓ about your ﷺ character, and she gave a very brief and comprehensive answer, saying that the entire Quran was your character.