About Surah Al-'Alaq

The very first verses of the Quran to reach the Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) in the Cave of Ḥirā’ during Ramaḍān established the dignity of the Pen and knowledge. Though often named Sūrat al-ʿAlaq for the clot of creation mentioned in its second verse, this Makkan text is equally known as Sūrat Iqra’ after its opening command to read.

The recitation opens by directing attention to the miracle of human origins before shifting to a later confrontation. Revealed after the initial five verses, the remainder of the text turns to address the arrogance of a specific disbeliever—likely Abū Jahl—who tried to prevent the Prophet (ﷺ) from praying. The passage condemns the man who forgets his humble origins to consider himself self-sufficient, warning that Allah will seize the denier by the forelock.

Despite the enemy’s threats to prohibit prayer, the divine command requires the Prophet (ﷺ) to simply persist in worship and draw near to Allah.

Surah 96 Juz 30 19 verses

Al-'Alaq

The Clot Meccan

096

Surah Info Reflections Layers

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Read! In the name of your Lord who created:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

He created manfrom a clinging form.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

who taught by [means of] the pen,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

who taught man what he did not know.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

But man exceeds all bounds

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

when he thinks he is self-sufficient:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

[Prophet], all will return to your Lord.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Have you seen the man who forbids

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

[Our] servant to pray?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Have you seen whether he is rightly guided,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

or encourages true piety?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Have you seen whether he denies the truth and turns away from it?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Does he not realize that God sees all?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

No! If he does not stop, We shall drag him by his forehead––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

his lying, sinful forehead.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Let him summon his comrades;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

We shall summon the guards of Hell.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

No! Do not obey him [Prophet]: bow down in worship and draw close.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

End of Al-'Alaq

Explore Reflections Surah Info

Explore the Quran

Read, listen, and study with powerful tools designed for your journey.

Start Reading Listen to Radio Learning Plans

AI Chatbot Ask AI