What Is al-Lawh al-Mahfuz, the Preserved Tablet?

Question

What is al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) mentioned in the Qur’an (85:22)? How have scholars explained its meaning?

Bottom Line

Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz is the Preserved Tablet that contains Allah’s eternal decree. 

Quick Answer

Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz is a record written by Allah before creation, containing all that has happened and will happen. It is “preserved” because it is protected from Satan, tampering, and change. Some weak reports claim it is on the forehead of Israfil or made of gems, but nothing authentic confirms that. Its exact reality belongs to the Unseen (al-Ghayb).

Key Takeaways

• It is preserved among the angels, free from addition, removal, or alteration.
• Protected from Shaytan, distortion, or corruption; linked to Allah’s protection of the revelation Qur’an 15:9

Detailed Answer

In ‘al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet)’, it is among the higher group (i.e., angels), preserved and protected from anything being added or taken away, or any alteration or changes.

What is al-Lawh?

In language, Lawh refers to any flat surface used for writing, such as a wooden board or bone (Lisan al-‘Arab, 2/584). In Revelation, it refers specifically to the Preserved Tablet.

What is al-Lawh al-Mahfuz?

Allah says:

“[It is] inscribed in al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.” Qur’an 85:22

– Ibn Kathir: It is among the higher angels, preserved and guarded from any change or corruption (Tafsir Ibn Kathir 4/497).

– Ibn al-Qayyim: Its protection means Shaytan cannot access it, nor can anything be added or taken away (al-Tabyan fi Aqsam al-Qur’an, p. 62).

Is it on Israfil’s forehead?

Reports that al-Lawh is attached to Israfil or made of gems are not authentic. Matters of the Unseen must be taken only from authentic revelation. Scholars reject weak stories and affirm only what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ conveyed.

What This Means for You

Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz teaches us that Allah’s decree is complete, preserved, and unchangeable. Everything in your life, birth, provision, lifespan, and trials, was already written. This should bring peace in hardship and humility in success. It also reminds us that nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge or power.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

• Surah al-Buruj 85:22: Mention of al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.
• Surah al-Hijr 15:9: Allah’s protection of revelation.

Secondary Sources

• Lisan al-‘Arab by Ibn Manzur, 2/584: Classical Arabic lexicon reference.
• Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 4/497–498: Commentary on divine preservation of Qur’an.
• al-Tabyan fi Aqsam al-Qur’an by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 62: Analysis of Qur’anic oaths.