It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Allah Almighty created the Pen first, held it in His right hand, and both hands of Allah Almighty are right hands. Then He wrote the world, and every good and evil deed done in the world, and every moist and dry thing, and counted all things in the Preserved Tablet with Him. Then He said: If you wish, recite this verse: «هَـذَا كِتَابُنَا يَنْطِقُ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْحَقِّ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنْسِخُ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ» 'This is Our Book that speaks against you with truth. Indeed, We were recording what you used to do.' (45 Al-Jathiyah:29) Writing and copying only occur in matters that have already been completed."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah, the Exalted, created the Pen first and commanded it to write everything that would happen (in the future)."