Meaning and Tafsir of Al-Qalam Chapter’s 51st and 52nd Verses, Known as Nazar Verses
The 51st and 52nd verses of Surah Al-Qalam are verses full of stories that are thought to be recited in the Islamic world to protect against the effects of evil eye (nazar). In this article, you can find the Arabic equivalent, translation, and tafsir of these verses.
Al-Qalam Chapter 51-52 Verses
وَاِنْ يَكَادُ الَّذ۪ينَ كَفَرُوا لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِاَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ اِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُونٌۢ
وَمَا هُوَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَم۪ينَ
Ve-in yekâdu-lleżîne keferû leyuzlikûneke bi-ebsârihim lemmâ semi’û-żżikra ve yekûlûne innehu lemecnûn(un).
Vemâ huve illâ żikrun lil’âlemîn(e).
Those who disbelieve are almost inclined to throw you with their eyes when they hear the remembrance, and they say, “Indeed, he is mad.” (Surah Al-Qalam, 51)
But it is not but a reminder for all the worlds. (Surah Al-Qalam, 52)
Tafsir of Al-Qalam Chapter 51-52 Verses
- These verses describe the envy and malice emanating from the disbelievers’ gazes towards the Prophet (peace be upon him) while listening to the Quran.
- It is stated that the polytheists, affected by the superiority of the Quran, tried to influence people by accusing the Prophet (peace be upon him) of madness.
The comparison of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) listeners’ gazes to effective arrows emphasizes their feelings of envy and malice. Scholars like Ibn Kuteybah state that these verses do not have a direct connection with nazar; rather, they express the animosity felt by the disbelievers towards the Prophet (peace be upon him).