Lately, many people are talking about the meaning or meaning of lauhul mahfudz. Lauhul mahfudz itself is actually very familiar to many people, especially Muslims. However, do you know the true meaning of lauhul mahfudz?
This article will explain the meaning and significance of lauhul mahfudz. Not only that, there will also be a discussion of the characteristics of lauhul mahfudz to the part of the relationship with a mate or matters of marriage. Let’s watch it to the end!
A. Meaning of Lauhul Mahfudz
Lauhul Mahfudz is generally understood by many people as a book that writes down all records regarding destiny and events that occur in the universe. Lauhul mahfudz also has the nature of being awake and already existed and was created before the creation of the universe and humankind began.
Literally, the term Lauhul Mahfudz comes from Arabic, namely the word Lauh which means wide bone and can be written on. Meanwhile, the word Mahfudz itself can be interpreted as that which is preserved. So, these two words can be said to have meaning as a book that is preserved and everything written in it will not be changed or damaged.
Lauhul Mahfudz himself has several other names, starting from Kitaabun Min Qabli which means the book of decrees, then Umm Al-Kitab which means the main book, then Kitabbim Maknuun which means the preserved book, to the Kitabbim Mubiin which means the real book.
In the Koran, the word Lauhul Mahfudz has been mentioned up to 13 times. However, the mention of lauhul mahfudz is not clear and complete, because it is only a brief explanation.
B. The Meaning of Lauhul Mahfudz According to the Scholars
1. Ibn Manzur
As previously stated, Ibn Mandzur also said that the word lauh means a wide plinth made of wooden planks. Meanwhile, Azhari also revealed that Lauh can be understood as a plank of wood. And, according to what is contained in the Al-Quran, that in the Qur’an “which is stored” in the Tablets of Mahfuzh.” This can be interpreted as the Al-Quran which is stored by Allah’s will.
2. Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir Rahimahullah said that what was “stored” in the Lawh Mahfuzh. Tafsir from Ibn Kathir can be interpreted that the Al-Quran is in the highest place and is protected from additions, subtractions, deviations and substitutions.
3. Ibn Qoyim
Ibn Qoyim Rahimahullah revealed, that the expression “Mahfudz or the one who is awake” most qiroat experts read it with jar as an attribute for seah. This can be understood if in Lauhul Mahfudz there will be no demons that can enter. Lauhul Mahfudz has been determined to be awake from Satan’s actions, either to increase or decrease.
In At-Tibyan Fi Aqsamil Qur’an, p. 62 reads, then Allah subhanahu guard the place. Guard against additions, subtractions and substitutions. Keeping the meaning from distortion is the same as protecting the pronunciation from being replaced. And He determines who keeps the letters from addition and subtraction and keeps their meaning from distortion and alteration.
4. Then, some Tafsir books say that Lauhul Mahfud is the forehead of the angel Israfil or a creature made of green emeralds, or something other than that. However, this opinion has no stipulations so that it includes unseen matters that cannot be trusted. With a note, there is an opinion that comes from the one who gave the revelation to him.
C. The characteristics of Lauhul Mahfudz
After knowing the meaning of Lauhul Mahfudz, in this section we will start learning about the characteristics of Lauhul Mahfudz which have been mentioned in many verses in the Koran. Some of the characteristics of Lauhul Mahfudz include the following:
1. Nothing is left behind or forgotten
Allah SWT says:
وَعِنۡدَهٗ مَفَاتِحُ الۡغَيۡبِ لَا يَعۡلَمُهَاۤ اِلَّا هُوَؕ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى الۡبَرِّ وَالۡبَحۡرِؕ وَمَا تَسۡقُطُ مِنۡ وَّرَقَةٍ اِلَّا يَعۡلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِىۡ ظُلُمٰتِ الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَا رَطۡبٍ وَّلَا يَابِسٍ اِلَّا فِىۡ كِتٰبٍ مُّبِيۡنٍ
Meaning:
And the keys to all that is unseen are with Him; no one knows but Him. He knows what is on land and in sea. Not a leaf falls that He doesn’t know about. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything wet or dry that is not written in a clear Book (Lauh Mahfuzh).
2. All life in the world is recorded in it
Allah SWT says:
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ ۚ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
Meaning:
And there are no animals on earth and birds that fly on their two wings, but people (also) like you. We have forgotten nothing in the Bible, then to God they will be gathered.
3. All information about humans is recorded in it
Allah SWT says:
{ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ (1) بَلْ عَجِبُوا أَنْ جَاءَهُمْ مُنْذِرٌ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ الْكَافِرُونَ هَذَا شَيْءٌ عَجِيبٌ (2) أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا ذَلِكَ رَجْعٌ بَعِيدٌ (3) قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنْقُصُ الأرْضُ مِنْهُمْ وَعِنْدَنَا كِتَابٌ حَفِيظٌ (4)
It means:
Qaf. For the sake of the glorious Qur’an. (They did not accept it) they were even astonished because a warner had come to them from their own (amongst their own), so the disbelievers said, “This is something very miraculous.” What are we after death and after becoming soil (we will come back again)? That is an impossible return. Indeed, We already know what the earth destroys from their (bodies), and with Us there is also a book that keeps (records).
4. Allah’s sentence that is in it will never end
Allah SWT says:
وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَٰمٌ وَٱلْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
Meaning:
And if the trees on earth were pens and the sea (become ink), seven seas (again) were added after (dry) it, surely the words of Allah would not be exhausted (written). Verily Allah is Mighty, Most Wise.
D. Lauhul Mahfudz A Match That Has Been Determined by Allah SWT
Many people understand that Lauhul Mahfudz is a term used to reveal the destiny of a person based on the decree of Allah SWT. Due to a decree from Allah SWT, no human being has knowledge of the truth from Lauhul Mahfudz, including the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
In a book entitled Following the Age Without Turning Away from Religion by M. Aqil said, that a good woman or man will be met with a good mate, while a bad man or woman will also get a bad mate. However, in the process of finding a mate, one still has to make an effort and endeavor to find a mate.
In a hadith, Rasulullah SAW said about a mate as a reflection of a person. The hadith reads as follows:
“The souls are likened to pairs of soldiers, those who know each other beforehand will unite and those who deny each other will be at odds.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
E. The essence of Lauhul Mahfudz Matchmaking
Talking about Lauhul Mahfudz, of course, is incomplete without knowing the nature and position of the soul mate in it. In this section, we will discuss in depth the nature of Lauhul Mahfudz’s mate.
Lauhul mahfudz mate is actually an absolute provision given to humans. As destiny from Allah SWT, a soul mate has basically been written since 50,000 years ago. This means that before humans were born on earth, destiny related to mate was written first.
In a hadith, Rasulullah SAW said:
كَتَبَ اللَّهُ مَقَادِيرَ الْخَلاَئِقِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِخَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَة
“Allah recorded the fate of every creature 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth.” (HR. Muslim)
Even though a mate has been set in Lauhul Mahfudz, a devout Muslim still has to fight for his mate. A Muslim is encouraged to always try and try his best to get the best mate for himself.
In several hadiths, Rasulullah SAW has given several notes to encourage people to choose a good mate. The following are five marriage criteria that must be considered for a Muslim, including:
1. Women or men who are good in religion
According to Ahmad Zakarsih in the book Measuring Kufu in Choosing a Mate, in choosing a good potential partner, a Muslim is encouraged to consider his religion. This is in accordance with the hadith of Rasulullah SAW, as follows:
تنكح المرأة لأربع: لمالها ولحسبها وجمالها ولدينها، فاظفر بذات الدين تربت يداك
It means:
“Women are usually married for four reasons: because of their wealth, because of their position, because of their appearance and because of their religion. So, you should choose because of your religion (Islam), because if you don’t, you will surely lose out.” (Narrated by Bukhari-Muslim)
2. A loving and fertile woman
تزوجوا الودود الولود فاني مكاثر بكم الأمم
“Marry a loving and fertile woman! Because I am proud of my many people.” (Narrated by An Nasa’i and Abu Dawud)
3. Know both religion and morals
عن أبي هريرة قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : إذا أتاكم من ترضون خلقه و دينه فانكحوه إلا تفعلوا تكن فتنة في الأرض وفسيد ع. رواه الحاكم وقال هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد و لم يخرجاه
“From Abu Hurairah ra, Rasulullah SAW said:” If it comes to you who you approve of his morals and religion, then marry him. If you don’t do it, there will be slander on the face of the earth and extensive damage.” (Narrated by Al-Hakim – his sanad is authentic)
4. The best decoration for a man is a sholihah woman
Peace be upon you
“The world is an ornament, and the best decoration of the world is a Sholehah woman.” (Muslim HR)
5. Marry an independent woman
مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَلْقَى اللَّهَ طَاهِرًا مُطَهَّرًا فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْ الْحَرَائِرَ
“Whoever wants Allah to be pure and purified, let him marry a free woman.” (Narrated by Imam ibn Majah)
Thus is the discussion about the meaning of the meaning of Lauhul Mahfudz. Based on the discussion above, we can see that Lauhul Mahfudz is a book that writes down all the records regarding destiny and events that occur in the universe. In addition, Lauhul mahfudz is also awake and has been created before the creation of the universe and humankind began.