Hi Guys
Just two points on the issue of “Maktoob”:
(1) the root (k-t-b) from which the word “maktoob” is derived is a homonym that is used to mean different things:
(a) to simply write or record
(b) to predestine, decree or ordain (but this meaning can also be reduced to the first since what is predestined, decreed or ordained is actually what God has written out for you)
(c) to prescribe, make incumbent or compulsory e.g. كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَام (Fasting has been prescribed for you)
(2) “k-t-b” in the sense of decreeing or ordaining has been used several times in the Quran. According to Islamic Belief, God created a Pen which He then ordered to write down and record in a Book everything that is to happen, in other words, God has decreed or ordained what is to happen in the future. We, thus, have three things: Pen, Book & Act of Recording. The Pen is referred to as “Qalam”, the Book as “Umm al-Kitab” or just “Kitab” or sometimes "al-Lauh al-Mahfuth" (Guarded Tablet) and the Act of Recording as “kataba” (كتب) or “satara” (سطر) . It therefore follows that “Maktoob” (being the passive participle of “kataba”) would mean what has been written or recorded in the Book by the Pen as ordered by God.
The following are some Quranic verses bearing out what I have just said, and observe the use of the three things (Pen, Book & & Act of Recording) in these verses:
قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلاَنَا وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Say: "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us. He is our Maulâ (Lord, Helper and Protector)." And in Allâh let the believers put their trust. (9:51)
يَمْحُو اللّهُ مَا يَشَاء وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
Allâh blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book (13:39)
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ
No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfûth), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allâh. (57:22)
كَانَ ذلِكَ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَسْطُوْرًا
... That was written in the (Eternal) Record (17:58)
وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُوْنَ
By the Pen and that which they write therwith (68:1)
I thought that this would add some perspective to the discussion.
