Do "the Record" and "the Books" in Surat Al-Anbiya, the verse (the Day when We shall roll up the heaven like the rolling up of a written scroll for the books), mean one and the same thing, or is there a difference between them? And why is "the Record" singular while "the Books" is plural? And is the reading of "the Book" in the singular form correct?

Ibn al-Jawzi mentioned four interpretations regarding the meaning of "al-Sijil": that it is an angel, or a scribe who wrote for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, or a man, or the scroll. Al-Mawardi mentioned three interpretations: that it is the scroll, or an angel, or a scribe who wrote in the presence of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. As for the reading of (للكتب) with a damma on the kaf and ta’, it is the reading of Hamzah, Al-Kisa’i, Khalaf, and Hafs. The reading of the others is with a kasra on the kaf and a fatha on the ta’ with an alif (للكتاب). The reading fluctuates between plural and singular, for "al-Kitāb" (الكتاب) is a generic noun that suffices for the plural, being singular but intended to mean many.