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Mother of the Book

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concept

Mother of the Book

أم الكتاب

The Mother of the Book (Umm al-Kitāb) is a profound concept in Islam, referring to the eternal, divine source from which all heavenly scriptures originate. It is not a physical book in the earthly sense, but rather an archetype, a celestial record that resides with Allah Himself. This sacred source holds the complete knowledge of all that has been and all that will be, embodying Allah's absolute wisdom and decrees. The Quran affirms its exalted status, declaring that [indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom]. It is the immutable foundation of all divine revelation, reflecting the unity of Allah's message throughout history, from the scrolls of Abraham to the Torah, the Gospel, and finally, the Quran. Believers understand that [Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book], signifying His ultimate authority over destiny and divine law. This concept reinforces the belief in a single, overarching divine plan and the consistent truth underlying all prophetic messages.

Quran 2 verses

يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

Yamhul laahu maa yashaaa'u wa yusbitu wa 'indahooo ummul Kitaab

Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.

خدا جس کو چاہتا ہے مٹا دیتا ہے اور (جس کو چاہتا ہے) قائم رکھتا ہے اور اسی کے پاس اصل کتاب ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Said in the next verse (39) was: يَمْحُو اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ : 'Allah wipes off what He wills and affirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother Book.' [ The translation of: أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ (umm-ul-kitab) as 'Mother Book' reflects a word for word replac...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: God effaces of it the Book whatever He will and He fixes read yuthbit or yuthabbit therein whatever He will of rulings or other matters and with Him is the Mother of the Book its source of origin of which nothing is ever changed and which consists of what He inscribed in pre-eternity azal.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): All Prophets and Messengers were Humans Allah says, `Just as We have sent you O Muhammad, a Prophet and a human, We sent the Messengers before you from among mankind, that eat food, walk in the markets, and We gave them wives and offspring.' Allah said to the most honorable and Final Messenger, قُلْ...

وَإِنَّهُۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ

Wa innahoo feee Ummil Kitaabi Ladainaa la'aliyyun hakeem

And indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.

اور یہ بڑی کتاب (یعنی لوح محفوظ) میں ہمارے پاس (لکھی ہوئی اور) بڑی فضیلت اور حکمت والی ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary This Surah is Makki, although Muqatil رحمۃ اللہ علیہ has said that the verse وَاسْأَلْ مَنْ أَرْ‌سَلْنَا (43:45) is Madam, and according to another view, this Surah was revealed in Heaven during Lailat-ul-Mi` raj (the Night of Ascention) (Ruh u1-Ma’ ani) - Allah knows best. Ha Meem- Only ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And it is indeed fixed in the Mother Book the source of all the scriptures namely the Preserved Tablet which is with Us ladaynā substitutes for fī ummi’l-kitābi ‘in the Mother Book’ and it is indeed exalted above all the scriptures that came before it wise containing excellent wisdoms.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful حـم - تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَـبِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ (Ha-Mim. By the manifest Book.) means, plain and clear in both wording and meaning, because it was revealed in the langu...

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