The Preserved Tablet

The Preserved Tablet was created, according to the hadith reported by at-Tabarani from Ibn Abbas, from a white pearl whose pages are of red ruby, its pen light and its writing light; Allah has in it every day three hundred and sixty-three thousand moments in which He creates and provides, causes death and gives life. On its front are written the oneness of Allah, His religion Islam, and the mission of Muhammad, His servant and His messenger. As long as the distance between heaven and earth and as wide as the distance between East and West, it is found, according to some, upon the forehead of Israfil, and according to others at the right of the Throne.

"Allah created the Preserved Tablet from a white pearl whose pages are of red ruby; its pen is light and its writing is light. In it, Allah has every day three hundred and sixty-three thousand moments in which He creates and provides, causes death and gives life, honors and abases, and does what He wills."

Reported by al-Hafiz Abu al-Qasim at-Tabarani, from Ibn Abbas

What is written on the Tablet

Ishaq ibn Bishr reported: from Muqatil and Ibn Jurayj, from Ibn Abbas: "On the front of the Tablet is written: There is no god but Allah alone; His religion is Islam; Muhammad is His servant and messenger. Whoever believes in Allah, believes in His promise and follows His messengers, He will admit him into Paradise."

The substance and dimensions of the Tablet

He said: "The Tablet is of white pearl, as long as the distance between heaven and earth and as wide as the distance between East and West; its edges are pearls and rubies, its two ends of red ruby; its pen is light, its words are bound to the Throne, and its origin lies in the bosom of an angel."

The position of the Tablet

Anas ibn Malik and other righteous predecessors said: "The Preserved Tablet is upon the forehead of Israfil."

Muqatil said: "It is at the right of the Throne."