سُوْرَةُ الْعَلَقِ

Surah Al-Alaq (96) — Ayah 4

The Clot · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 597

ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ﴿4﴾
Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.
ٱلَّذِى alladhī The One Who
عَلَّمَ ʿallama taught
بِٱلْقَلَمِ bil-qalami by the pen

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. The meaning of قلم is to cut, to carve; pens in earlier times were also made by carving. Therefore, the instrument of writing is referred to as قلم.

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.

4. Who taught by the pen [5],

[5] One of the greatest virtues of man is that he possesses knowledge. Allah Almighty has bestowed His favor upon him by teaching him the use of the pen. Through this, knowledge can be disseminated on a wide scale, and what is written remains even after the death of a scholar, continuing to be passed on to future generations. If Allah Almighty had not inspired man with the method of acquiring knowledge and the art of writing, human intellectual abilities would have remained extremely limited. This is the general practice of Allah Almighty. However, the knowledge that Allah grants to the Prophets through revelation is superior to human knowledge and free from all kinds of errors. This is an exceptional case, and especially, Allah Almighty did not teach the Messenger of Allah ﷺ knowledge through the pen, in which there were answers to many objections of the disbelievers and many other wisdoms, which the Quran has mentioned repeatedly.