Al-Alaq (العلق)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq
READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has-
خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
Khalaqal insaana min 'alaq
created man out of a germ-cell
اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ
Iqra wa rab bukal akram
Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One
الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ
Al lazee 'allama bil qalam
who has taught [man] the use of the pen –
عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
'Al lamal insaana ma lam y'alam
taught man what he did not know!
كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ
Kallaa innal insaana layatghaa
Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening
أَنْ رَآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ
Ar-ra aahus taghnaa
whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient:
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَىٰ
Innna ilaa rabbikar ruj'aa
for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return.
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَىٰ
Ara-aital lazee yanhaa
HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent
عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰ
'Abdan iza sallaa
a servant [of God] from praying?
أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ
Ara-aita in kana 'alal hudaa
Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way,
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِالتَّقْوَىٰ
Au amara bit taqwaa
or is concerned with God-consciousness?
أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
Ara-aita in kaz zaba wa ta walla
Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]?
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَىٰ
Alam y'alam bi-an nal lahaa yaraa
Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]?
كَلَّا لَئِنْ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ
Kalla la illam yantahi la nasfa'am bin nasiyah
Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead
نَاصِيَةٍ كَاذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ
Nasiyatin kazi batin khaatiyah
the lying, rebellious forehead! –
فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُ
Fal yad'u naadiyah
and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom,
سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ
Sanad 'uz zabaaniyah
[the while] We shall summon the forces of heavenly chastisement!
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ ۩
Kalla; la tuti'hu wasjud waqtarib
Nay, pay thou no heed to him, but prostrate thyself [before God] and draw close [unto Him]!
Meaning
The Clot
Ayas
19
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
96
Creation and Knowledge: Surah Al-Alaq begins by emphasizing the creation of human beings from a clot of blood, illustrating the power of Allah in creating life. It also highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding as an essential aspect of humanity’s development.
Divine Command: The Surah stresses the importance of following Allah’s commands and recognizing His sovereignty over all creation. The first revelation of the Quran, “Iqra’” (Read!), highlights the importance of education, literacy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Reminder of Human Fragility and Dependence on Allah: It underscores how humans, despite their knowledge and achievements, remain fragile and wholly dependent on Allah for everything, from life to sustenance.
First Revelation: Surah Al-Alaq is significant because it contains the first revelation received by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the Cave of Hira. The command to “read” signifies the importance of learning and acquiring knowledge in Islam.
Creation and Knowledge: The Surah links the creation of humans with the ability to acquire knowledge and the importance of recognizing Allah’s greatness in all things, reminding humanity of its humble origins.
Guidance for Humanity: This Surah serves as a divine guide for mankind to seek knowledge, remain humble, and understand their dependence on Allah’s mercy.
Encourages the Pursuit of Knowledge: By reading this Surah, believers are reminded of the importance of seeking knowledge and using it to benefit both oneself and society.
Spiritual Humility: It helps develop humility by recognizing how Allah created humans from nothing and is the ultimate source of all knowledge and success.
Reinforces Faith in Divine Power: The Surah serves as a reminder of Allah’s power in creation, urging believers to reflect on His greatness and the signs of His presence in the world around them.
Protection Against Arrogance: It teaches the importance of not becoming arrogant about one’s knowledge or achievements, reminding believers of their humble origins and dependence on Allah.
The Importance of Seeking Knowledge:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
This emphasizes the significance of learning, as highlighted in the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq, where the first command given to the Prophet (ﷺ) is to “read” and seek knowledge.
The Humility of Human Creation:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from the earth, so the children of Adam are of the earth.” (Sahih Muslim)
This aligns with the message of Surah Al-Alaq, which reminds humanity of their humble beginnings and the greatness of the Creator
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
