What is so simple but holds a mighty power?

Important transactions and significant deals cannot be completed without it. It’s an important part of a student’s life – in fact everyone’s life when you think about it.

It’s inadvertently “stolen”, misplaced or lost hundreds of times a day! It can be as cheap as 99 cents or as expensive as $1,900 or more and if its contents leak out, such damage it can inflict, staining everything in its path.

Have you been able to guess what this humble yet mighty thing is that I’m talking about? Yes, it’s the pen. The mighty, most essential pen. Without it, life can come to a screeching halt. Business people guard their pens with their life – so much so, the pen holds a designated spot in the jacket label or shirt pocket right next to their heart. That’s my opinion anyway.

Ever need a pen and can’t find one? It’s one of the most frustrating things ever. Indeed, the pen reigns high as an undisputed necessity of our daily lives.

In Islam the pen is highly regarded. In fact, Chapter 68 in the Koran is named “Al-Qulam" which, translated into English, means “the pen".

It opens up with the verse: “By the pen and what they inscribe.”

We are taught that the angels record with a pen each person’s deeds, which will be brought forth on the Day of Judgement. God appoints two angels to serve as "kiraman katibin" (honourable recorders or noble writers) for each person on Earth during his or her lifetime, Muslims believe.

This angelic team is mentioned in the Koran: "And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers, noble and recording; they know whatever you do." (Chapter 82 Al-Infitar, verses 10 to 12).

The pen is mentioned again in Chapter 96 of the Koran where its significance to the high value placed on the might of the pen is expounded; “Who taught by the pen taught mankind that which he knew not.” (96:4-5).

Without the pen where would we be? The pen is indeed mightier than the sword in that the written word seals treaties, laws and governing rules that were binding and must be upheld. In this context, the pen stopped many disagreements that could have ended up as wars. This holds true even during present times.

Imagine a student without a pen – the point would be lost (pun intended). Scholars live by the pen. There would be no scriptures nor history without the pen. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “God said to the pen: ‘Write.’ It said: ‘O Lord, what should I write?’ He said: ‘Write down the decrees of all things until the hour begins.’” (Abu Dawud).

Islam teaches that Allah is so mighty, that in the beginning when there was nothing, all He had to say was: “Be and it is”. In fact, everything in creation was created by Allah with these words, except for four things that God created with his hands – the pen is among the four.

Mujahid reported: “Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘Allah Almighty created four things with His hands – Adam, upon him be peace, the throne, the pen and the Gardens of Eden.’ Then He said to the rest of creation, ‘Be’. And it was.” Source: al-Sharī’ah lil-Ājurrī 756

I think we can all safely and unequivocally conclude that the pen must be respected. Indeed, the pen governs our lives so much more than we realise.

Power to the pen. It is indeed mightier than the sword. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” Narrated and classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi (2516), from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas.

Bermuda may your weekend and the upcoming week be filled with blessings, contentment and gratitude.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam