Tafsir of Al-Burooj 85:22

In a Preserved Tablet:

"In a tablet," meaning, it exists in a preserved tablet; that is, the tablet is protected from the devils reaching it.

This is the well-known Preserved Tablet. It is what was narrated from Ibn Abbas—and the responsibility lies with the narrator—that it is a tablet of white pearl, the length of which is between the heaven and the earth, and its width is between the East and the West. Its edges are of pearl and sapphire, its covers are of red sapphire, and its pen is light; it is attached to the Throne. Its base rests upon the lap of an angel called Satriyun. In it, Allah—the Almighty and Majestic—looks three hundred and sixty times every day, bringing to life and causing to die, exalting and abasing, and doing whatever He wills. It is written upon its upper part: "There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner; His religion is Islam, and Muhammad is His servant and messenger. Whoever believes in Allah—the Almighty and Majestic—and trusts in His promise and follows His messengers, He shall admit him into Paradise."

Muqatil said: "The Preserved Tablet is to the right of the Throne." Other reports regarding it have been transmitted, but we believe in it without being obligated to investigate its essence, the nature of its writing, or similar matters. Indeed, we say that what some people claim—that it is an abstract substance (jawhar mujarrad) not occupying space, and that it is like a mirror for universal forms—is contrary to the apparent meanings of the Sharia and has absolutely no basis in the Book or the Sunnah.

Ibn Ya‘mar, Ibn al-Sumayqa‘, and others read "Luhun" (a tablet) with the damma on the letter lam. Its root in the language is "the air," and what is meant here is that which is above the seventh heaven. Al-A‘raj, Zayd ibn ‘Ali, Ibn Muhaysin, and Nafi‘—according to one transmission from him—read "Mahfuzun" (preserved) in the nominative case, as an adjective for the Qur’an. Regarding the phrase "in a tablet," some say it is connected to it, while others say it is another adjective for the Qur’an. This has been criticized on the grounds that it involves placing a compound adjective before a singular one, which is contrary to the original rule.

The meaning according to that reading is: preserved after its revelation from change, alteration, addition, and subtraction, as He—glory be to Him—said: "Indeed, it is We who have sent down the message, and indeed, We will be its guardian." It is also said that it is "preserved" within that tablet from the devils reaching it. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.