Al Lawh al Mahfuz Meaning of 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, safeguarded from any alteration or corruption.

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 contains all decrees: past, present, and future, written before creation.
• It is preserved among the angels, free from addition, removal, or alteration.
• Its true nature is from the Unseen; only what Allah and His Messenger ﷺ conveyed is affirmed.

Detailed Answer

Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) is part of the unseen realm, known only through revelation. Scholars explained that it is preserved and protected from tampering or corruption.

What is al-Lawh?

Linguistically, Lawh refers to any flat surface used for writing, such as a 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.” Surah al-Buruj 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. Scholars clarified that matters of the Unseen must be taken only from authentic revelation.

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 reminds us that nothing escapes Allah’s knowledge or power.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Buruj 85:22″: Mention of al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.
2. Al-Hijr 15:9: Allah’s promise to protect the revelation.

Hadith

3. Sahih Muslim 2653a: Allah wrote the decree of creation fifty thousand years before creating the heavens and the earth.

Secondary Sources

4. Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-‘Arab, 2/584.
5. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim, 4/497–498.
6. Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Tabyan fi Aqsam al-Qur’an, p. 62.