Al-ʻAlaq العلق "The Clinging Thing" or "The Embryo"

Holy Quran

Al-ʻAlaq (Arabic: العلق, al-ʻalaq, also known as "The Clinging Thing" or "The Embryo"[1]), is the 96th chapter of the Qur'an. It is composed of 19 verses. It is sometimes also known as Sūrat Iqrā (سورة إقرا, "Read")

Chapter 96 of the Qur'an is traditionally believed to have been Muhammad's first revelation. It is said that while Muhammad was on retreat in the Cave of Hira, at Jabal al-Nour near Mecca, the angel Gabriel appeared before him and commanded him to "Read!". He responded, "But I cannot read!". Then the angel Gabriel embraced him tightly and revealed to him the first lines, "Read: In the name of your Lord Who created,

(1) Created man from a clot.

(2) Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous,

(3) Who taught by the pen,

(4) Taught man that which he knew not."[2] (Bukhari 4953). It is traditionally understood the first five ayat or verses

(1–5) of Surah Alaq were revealed; however, this is not the first fully complete Surah to be revealed and was actually revealed in 3 parts.

Summary

1-5 Angel Gabriel commanding towards Muhammad to recite the first verses of the Qur'an

6-14 Rebuke of Abu Jahl for hindering the Muslim cause.15 ۩ 19 Abu Jahl threatened with the torments of Hell as punishment.[3]

1-5 The first revelation

Main article: Muhammad's first revelation

The first five verses of this sura are believed by some commentators to be the first verses of the Quran claimed to be related by Muhammad. He received them while on a retreat in a mountain cave at Hira, just outside the city of Mecca, in 610 CE. A few commentators disagree with this account, claiming that the first revelation was the beginning of surat al-Muddaththir or surat al-Fatiha, but theirs is a minority position. Moreover, the term إِنْسَان‎ insān, which is translated "man, human", appears 65 times in the Qur'an, meaning "humanity".[4]

Translation

1. Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),

2. Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).

3. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,

4. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)],

5. Has taught man that which he knew not.

6. Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.).

7. Because he considers himself self-sufficient.

8. Surely! Unto your Lord is the return.

9. Have you (O Muhammad ()) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents,

10. A slave (Muhammad ()) when he prays?

11. Tell me, if he (Muhammad ()) is on the guidance (of Allah)?

12. Or enjoins piety?

13. Tell me if he (the disbeliever, Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'an), and turns away?

14. Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?

15. Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock,

16. A lying, sinful forelock!

17. Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers),

18. We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

19. Nay! (O Muhammad ())! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!