عَمَُّْ ْ 1543 اَلْعَلَق
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ ﴿۱﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ﴿۲﴾ اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ ﴿۳﴾ الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ ﴿۴﴾ عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ﴿۵﴾ كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَيَطْغَى ﴿۶﴾ أَنْ رَآهُ اسْتَغْنَى ﴿۷﴾ إِنَّ إِلَى رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَى ﴿۸﴾
﴾1﴿ Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq
﴾2﴿ Khalaqal insaana min 'alaq
﴾3﴿ Iqra wa rab bukal akram
﴾4﴿ Al lazee 'allama bil qalam
﴾5﴿ Al lamal insaana ma lam y'alam
﴾6﴿ Kallaa innal insaana layatghaa
﴾7﴿ Ar-ra aahus taghnaa
﴾8﴿ Innna ilaa rabbikar ruj'aa
﴾1﴿ Recite with the help of your Lord, the One who created (general)
﴾2﴿ He has created man from a clinging clot
﴾3﴿ Recite, and your Lord is most noble
﴾4﴿ The One who taught by the pen
﴾5﴿ He taught man what he did not know
﴾6﴿ Indeed, this is certainly true, without a doubt, that (some) humans surely transgress
﴾7﴿ Because they see themselves as self-sufficient
﴾8﴿ Indeed, to your Lord is the return
And another name for that Surah is Iqra (Recite).
Relevancy:
This Surah has several connections with the previous Surah. The first connection is that the previous Surah mentioned Tawhid (the Oneness of Allah), while this Surah commands the pursuit of the knowledge of Tawhid through the recitation of the Quran.
The second connection is that the previous Surah mentioned the form of man, whereas this Surah mentions the substance from which man was created.
Claim of this surah:
The command to recite the Quran appears twice, in verses (1) and (2), and the command to worship Ar-Rahman for nearness is in verse (19).
Three of Allah’s Asma'ul Husna (Beautiful Names) are mentioned: Allah, Rabb, and Akram.
Additionally, seven of Allah’s active attributes (Sifat Fi’liyyah) are mentioned in this Surah.
Summary of the surah:
The first command to recite the Quran is given with proper etiquette, and its reason is stated as creation, in verses (1-2).
The second command to recite the Quran follows, and its reason is given as Allah’s nobility (Akramiyyah) and teaching by the pen, in verses (3-5).
Then, a rebuke is directed at the denying human, mentioning six reprehensible traits, while offering consolation to the caller of the Quran by mentioning four praiseworthy attributes, up to verse (14).
After that, there is a warning of the Hereafter for the denier, in verses (15-17).
Finally, an encouragement for the people of the Quran is presented through one prohibition and two commands.
[1,2,3,4,5] These first five verses of this Surah were the first revelation of the Quran, which was revealed in the cave of Hira.
The command (اقْرَأْ – Recite) makes it clear that the first obligation upon the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) was to recite the Quran and convey its message.
The phrase (بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ – In the name of your Lord) highlights the etiquette of reciting the Quran, indicating that its recitation should begin with Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim.
Since reciting the Quran is a great and heavy responsibility, seeking help from Allah is essential, as His assistance makes it easier.
(مِنْ عَلَقٍ – From a clinging clot)
This refers to the origin of human creation, beginning from a drop of fluid that transforms into a clinging clot.
It also symbolizes the revolutionary nature of the Quran, just as the clot clings and forms, the Quran has come to unite people in faith, love, and connection.
(اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ – Recite, and your Lord is the Most Noble)
The repetition of اقْرَأْ (Recite) serves as emphasis, meaning "recite at all times."
Alternatively, the first اقْرَأْ refers to personal recitation, while the second اقْرَأْ refers to reciting for the purpose of preaching and conveying the message.
(الْأَكْرَمُ – The Most Noble)
This attribute is exclusive to Allah, because:
All goodness is in His hands.
All blessings come from Him.
He is the one who pardons human ignorance.
He delays punishment for those who deserve it.
He grants without seeking anything in return.
He bestows immense rewards for reciting the Quran.
(الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ – The One who taught by the pen)
This applies generally to angels, humans, and jinn, but it is mentioned specifically for humans as a special favor.
After creation, the greatest blessing is knowledge.
Knowledge is of two types:
One is learned through the pen – this is mentioned here.
The other is learned through speech and communication, which is indicated in (عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ – He taught man what he did not know).
[6,7] In this, there is a rebuke directed at those who oppose the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) and the Quran.
(اسْتَغْنَى – Sees himself as self-sufficient)
This indicates that wealth and self-sufficiency often lead to rebellion, disbelief, and polytheism.
Affluence and power frequently become causes of arrogance and deviation from the truth.
This verse highlights a general reality: when people feel independent and wealthy, they are more prone to transgression.
[8] In this, there is a warning for the denier and consolation for the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace).
The denier is warned that his rejection and arrogance will lead to consequences.
The Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) is reassured that despite opposition and rejection, Allah’s support is with him, and the truth will prevail.
This serves as both a deterrent for the disbelievers and encouragement for the Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him peace) to remain steadfast in his mission.