Human history begins by the discovery of writing through...

Human history begins by the discovery of writing through which man was able to record the story of his life and left behind "what they write." The majestic nature of the oath is rendered further evident by according attention to the point that such blessed Verses were revealed when there were no writers in that milieu and the number of the illiterate inhabitants of Mecca, the focal point of devotions, politics, and economy of Hijaz, did not exceed twenty.

Thus, swearing by the pen in such milieu is of a particular majesty. It would be of interest to make mention of the point that the earliest Verses revealed onto the noble and pure heart of the Noble Prophet (S) on the "Mountain of Light" (Jabal al-Nur) and at the "Cave of Hira" reveal the exalted significance of the pen: "Recite! In the Name of your Lord Who has created [the world of existence]. He has created man from a clot [a piece of thick coagulated blood]. Recite!

And our Lord is the Greatest Who has taught man by the pen. He has taught him that which he knew not" ^3 . The most interesting point is that an illiterate person recited such Words bearing testimony to the truth that the Holy Qur’an is but Divine Revelation.

Some Qur’anic exegetes maintain that the Arabic word qalam ("pen, calamus") herein connotes the pen by which archangels record Divine Revelation or the records of human deeds, though the contextual meaning of the blessed Verse in question is broader in scope and such interpretation may be considered as one of its senses.

Likewise "what they write" is also broad in its semantic implications encompassing whatever is recorded of treading the path of guidance and the intellectual, moral, and practical developments of mankind without being restricted to recording Divine Revelation or human deeds.

The blessed Verse 2 treats of the object of the oath, saying that owing to Divine Graciousness, you are not insane, namely those who unfoundedly allege that your are insane are blind in their hearts failing to behold all these Divine Blessings and Bounties conferred upon you, e.g. the Bounties of great intellect and insight, trustworthiness, sincerity, knowledge, Prophetic Call, and infallibility.

They are insane who falsely allege that the possessor of intellect par excellence is insane and thereby distance from the guide and leader of mankind through posing such unfounded allegations.