What is al-lawh al-mahfooz?

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

 

“in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet)” means, It is among the higher group (i.e., angels), preserved and protected from anything being added or taken away, or any alteration or changes.

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/497, 498).

 Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Preserved”: most readers recite this with a kasrah, i.e., it is a description of the Lawh. This indicates that the shayaateen are not able to bring it down, because its location is protected and they cannot reach it. And it is itself protected, so the Shaytaan cannot add anything to it or take anything away from it.

Allaah, may He be glorified, has described it as protected or guarded in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’aan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” [al-Hijr 15:9]. 

And its location is also described as being guarded in this soorah.

Allaah, may He be glorified, is protecting its location, and protecting it from having anything added or taken away, or being distorted. He is protecting its meanings from being twisted, just as He is protecting its words from being changed, and He is protecting its letters so that nothing is added or taken away…

(al-Tabyaan fi Aqsaam al-Qur’aan, p. 62).

As for the reports in some books of Tafseer, that al-Lawh al-mahfooz is on the forehead of Israafeel or that is was created of green chrysolite, etc., none of these reports have been proven. It is part of the Unseen (al-ghayb) of which we cannot accept any reports except from the one who received Revelation concerning it.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid