What does « Writing / Line » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Writing / Line (خط) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

خط

Writing / Line

Root: خ - ط

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Writing / Line

Al-khatt (line): like the trace, said of what has length.

Lines are of several types according to geometers.

Allah says: 'You did not trace it (takhuttuhu) with your right hand' (Al-'Ankabût: 48).

The Prophet ﷺ did not write before revelation.

Writing / Line in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-'Ankabut : 48 Meccan

﴿وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِن كِتَـٰبٍۢ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُۥ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًۭا لَّٱرْتَابَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ﴾

And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt.