Arriving during Makkah's first wave of severe persecution, this chapter is among the earliest messages given to the Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ). The scholar Jābir ibn Zayd even counted it as the second revelation. Known as Sūrat al-Qalam (The Pen) or Sūrat Nūn, it opens with a divine oath by the instrument of writing, establishing the sanctity of knowledge while refuting the influential leaders who mocked the messenger as a madman.

The text moves from affirming the Prophet’s (ﷺ) moral character into a precise condemnation of his deniers, exposing traits like slander and stinginess. To ground this warning, the narrative shifts to a parable of wealthy orchard owners. Because they conspired to withhold charity, they awoke to find their entire harvest destroyed.

The final passages turn directly to the Prophet (ﷺ), counseling quiet endurance. By recalling Yūnus (Jonah) and his moment of impatience, the chapter anchors its demand for steadfastness in history. The argument ultimately lands on a definitive assurance that Allah holds full awareness of every inner thought and outward deed.