☪️ Quran Chapter 96: The Clot – Al Alaq سورة العلق

Revelation place: Mecca

Revelation order: 1

Number of verses: 19

This is the first Chapter revealed to The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), it contains two parts

 The first part consists of first revelation sent down to the Prophet.

The second part starting verse 9, when the prophet began to perform the Islamic way prayer in the precincts of the Kaaba and his uncle Abu Jahl tried to prevent him from prayers with threats.

Theme: The beginning of revelation, the power of knowledge, human arrogance, and the call to prostrate to Allah.Subjects: Revelation · Knowledge · Human Nature · Warning · Worship

Summary:Surah Al-‘Alaq is one of the most significant surahs in the Qur’an because it contains the first verses ever revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, marking the beginning of prophethood.

“Read in the name of your God who created human from a clinging clot. Read, and your God is the Most Generous who taught by the pen, taught human that which he knew not.” (96:1–5)

These opening verses highlight:

• The act of reading symbolizing the importance of knowledge.

• Allah as Creator who formed humans from a humble origin.

• Allah as Teacher who elevated humanity with intellect and language.

This establishes knowledge and learning as sacred acts in Islam, tied directly to revelation and worship.

The surah then addresses human arrogance:

“No! [But] indeed, man transgresses because he sees himself self-sufficient. Indeed, to your Lord is the return.” (96:6–8)

When humans forget their dependence on Allah, they grow proud and rebellious. But every soul will ultimately return to its Lord.

Then Allah warns against those who obstruct the path of faith, referring to arrogant deniers like Abu Jahl:

“Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays? Have you considered if he is upon guidance or enjoins righteousness?” (96:9–12)

This passage defends the Prophet in the face of early persecution and asserts the sanctity of worship.

“No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock  a lying, sinning forelock.” (96:15–16)

This is a severe warning to those who arrogantly oppose truth.

The surah ends with a command of empowerment and surrender:

“No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].” (96:19)

The response to arrogance and oppression is sujūd (prostration) the most humble and intimate act of worship. Nearness to Allah brings strength, dignity, and serenity.

Key Embedded Themes:

• First Revelation: “Read” marks the birth of a new era of guidance.

• Knowledge as Power: Learning is a sacred path to Allah.

• Human Arrogance: Self-sufficiency leads to transgression.

• Sanctity of Prayer: Worship is a right no tyrant can suppress.

• Power of Sujūd: True empowerment comes through humility before Allah.

  
  

Essence:Al-‘Alaq is a surah of beginnings, knowledge, and spiritual power. It inaugurated the Qur’anic message, teaching that faith and knowledge are inseparable. It warns against arrogance and persecution while reminding believers that true strength is found in prostration and nearness to Allah.

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the condemned.

With the name of Allah, the Gracious the Merciful

1-     Read (Recite) in the name of your God, who created

2-     Created human from a clinging clot (leech like/ embryo that is the 9 word and it takes 9 days to cling and 9 months to birth)

3-     Read and your God is the most generous (honored human with knowledge, and set for him livelihood and development means on earth)

4-     Who taught with the pen (Taught him writing as a means of learning to live, survive, develop and be accountable )

5-     Taught human that what he did not know. (Gave human the power of perceiving information and teaching)

6-     No but indeed, human overwhelms (Transgress, cross their limits, grow arrogant, disbelieve, and oppress others)

7-     For he sees himself, self-sufficient (Once he sees himself has all what he thinks he needs, then he thinks he has no need for God, or others)

8-     Indeed, to your God is the return

9-     Have you seen that who forbids

10-  A servant when he prays

11-  Have you seen if he was upon guidance? (Did you inquire if he calls for guidance)

12-  Or commanded to piety?

13-  Have you seen who denied and turned away? (in arrogance self-sufficiency away from true faith)

14-  Dose not he knows that Allah sees?

15-  No but indeed, if he does not desist, We will snatch him from his forelock

16-  A lying sinful forelock

17-  So let him call upon his council (Clans, associates, comrades)

18-  We will call the shovers (Torment pushing Angels)

19-  No indeed, do not obey him, but prostrate and get closer

Disclaimer:

The Holy Quran can only be read in its original Arabic language. No translation or interpretation of the Holy Quran can be used as a replacement for the Arabic Holy Quran. I am not a scholar nor do I have any Islamic diplomas. I have tried to provide a Quran translation and contemplations that are faithful to the Quranic Arabic language, based on my readings of selected scholars’ interpretations and my understanding of The Holy Quran as a Muslim, native Arabic speaker.