Al-Alaq (ٱلْعَلَق)

Surah Al-‘Alaq is the first Surah revealed to Muhammad (ﷺ).  It is the 96th Surah found in the last Juz of the Quran. The Surah has only one Ruku and 19 verses, the earliest verses revealed upon Muhammad (ﷺ). Al-Alaq, which means “The Clot” or “The Embryo,” highlights the creation of humankind from a clot of blood. This Surah marked the beginning of the Prophetic journey of Muhammad (ﷺ), marking the initiation of Quranic revelation.

Surah Al-Alaq is a small Surah that was not revealed in one go. The first five verses were the earliest Surah revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ), and the rest of the 14 verses were revealed three years later.

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-’Alaq is a Makki Surah revealed in two parts on two different occasions. The first part consists of verses 1 to 5. The second part consists of verses 6 to 19. The first five verses of this Surah are the first revelation, which also marks the beginning of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

Before the Prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was famous for his honesty and trustworthiness throughout all of Mecca. He devoted much of his time to reflecting on the creation of humans and the Divine Power that created this universe, including humankind. By that time, the Message of Islam and its way of worship had not yet been revealed; hence, he used to spend several days and nights away from home in the cave of Hira, praying in his own way. For this purpose, he would seclude himself for several days consecutively. On one such occasion, when he was busy in his worship in the cave of Hira, he suddenly noticed that an Angel was asking him to "Read". He replied, "I cannot read". The Angel pushed his chest against him and again asked him to "Read". The answer was again the same. The Angel pressed his chest against him again and repeated the same thing: "Read." This sequence was repeated thrice, and finally the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ (who was not yet appointed as Prophet) started reading the words, as shown to him by the Angel. These were the first five verses of Surah Al-’Alaq.

This sudden incident frightened the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and he immediately went back to his home and asked his wife, Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, to wrap him, so she did wrap him. When he recovered from the initial shock, he narrated the entire incident to his wife. Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a wise lady; she encouraged her husband, saying, "You are an honest and righteous person; hence, you should not worry.” She took him to his cousin Warqa bin Naufal, who was a Christian and a learned person. After hearing the entire incident, Warqa said, it is the same Angel (Angel Gabriel) who came to the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. He further said that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has appointed you a Prophet.

This incident is narrated in detail in several Hadiths, as reported in the authentic Hadith collections, such as Hadith 6982 of Sahih Al-Bukhari and Hadith 160a of Sahih Muslim.

The second part (verses 6 to 19) of this Surah was sent down a bit later. Quran commentators are almost in consensus that the "man" described in these verses is Abu Jahl. After the initial revelation of the first five verses of this Surah, the Prophet had not yet started spreading the Divine Message publicly but had started worshipping in the precincts of the Ka’abah, which Abu Jahl disliked. Abu Jahl often confronted the Prophet, asking him not to worship in this way in the Ka’abah. In different incidents, he asked his people to physically torture the Prophet by putting filth on his back when he was prostrating. Once, Abu Jahl himself attempted to kill the Prophet, but when he rushed towards the Prophet, something stopped him from doing so. When asked, he told his people that his attempt was foiled by a ditch of fire, which suddenly appeared between him and the Prophet.

The second part of this Surah was revealed to admonish Abu Jahl for his arrogant and provocative actions against the Prophet. This is mentioned in Hadith 2797 of Sahih Muslim, in detail, confirming that these verses were sent down as an admonition of Abu Jahl.    

So, two historic events are associated with the revelation of Surah Al-’Alaq. The first five verses comprise the first ever revelation, marking the beginning of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. These verses describe the creation of humankind and the knowledge given to them by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The next 14 verses were sent down sometimes after the first part of this Surah, specifically to admonish Abu Jahl, without directly naming him. It is declared in this part of the Surah that this man (Abu Jahl) will be punished for his arrogant and provocative attitude towards the Prophet when he was praying in the Ka’abah.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-’Alaq is a Makki Surah, which is the first ever revelation of the Quran. This is the Surah with which the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ began.

Place in the Quran

Surah Al-’Alaq is the 96^th Surah of the Quran and is placed in the 30^th Juzz (Para). It comes after Surah Al-Tin and before Surah Al-Qadr. It is the 1^st Surah in the order of revelation, and falls at number 96 in the sequence of recitation.

• Number of Verses: Surah Al-’Alaq has 19 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): The verses of Surah Al-’Alaq are grouped into 1 Ruku (section).

Significance of Surah Al-’Alaq  

Surah Al-’Alaq holds a unique and extremely important status in Islam as it was the first Divine revelation:

• The first five verses of this Surah were sent down as the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• These five verses were sent as the beginning of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• These five verses describe the creation of humankind, mentioning that he was created from a clot. After his creation, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ taught him to read and write with a pen. Then Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ conferred knowledge upon humankind, while he was unaware of anything; it was Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ who imparted knowledge to humankind.
• The second part, consisting of verses 6 to 19, describes the incident pertaining to Abu Jahl, when he tried to kill the Prophet because the Prophet did not stop praying in the precinct of the Ka'bah. The Surah describes that such a person, who stops anyone from praying or worshipping, will be punished by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Although Abu Jahl is not mentioned by name in this Surah, many scholars believe the man described here was Abu Jahl.
• The Surah teaches that believers should always reflect on their creation, which was made possible by a clot. This reveals the reality and factual status of humankind. The Surah also tells us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ conferred knowledge on humankind, whereas He Himself did not know anything.
• This Surah also tells us that those who create hurdles for the believers, such as trying to stop them from worshipping, will be dealt with harshly by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and they will be punished. At the same time, believers are encouraged to keep worshipping Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• The last verse of this Surah is also the first verse of prostration, which teaches the believers to prostrate before Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for all His blessings.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Alaq

Before Prophethood, Rasool Allah (ﷺ) often spends nights in Cave Hira, on the mountains of Jabal an-Nour, for worship. One night, when Muhammad (ﷺ) was worshipping in Cave Hira, Allah sent His angel Gabriel عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ with the revelation of the first five verses that say:

“READ In The name of your Lord who created.” (Quran 96:1)

“Created man from an embryo; (Quran 96:2)

“Read, for your Lord is most beneficent” (Quran 96:3)

“Who taught by the pen.” (Quran 96:4)

“Taught man what he did not know.” (Quran 96:5)

This Surah initiates the Prophetic journey of Muhammad (ﷺ) and highlights the creation of man and the command to read in the name of Allah. The Surah describes the importance of knowledge and warns against being arrogant and crossing limits set by Allah. The Surah defines the relationship of Allah with His creations and encourages us to worship Allah alone and strengthen our bond with our Creator. It guides us about the Day of Judgment and how anyone who disobeys Allah and opposes His commandments will attain Hell. 

The Surah supports the Prophet (ﷺ), as it was revealed when the Prophet (ﷺ) faced the opposition of the people of Makkah. The Surah provides glad tidings to Rasool Allah (ﷺ) and sends a message to him that Allah is sufficient for His Prophet and that he should continue his mission with complete confidence and trust in Allah.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Alaq

Surah Al-Alaq was revealed before the Hijrah period on different occasions. The first five verses were revealed to start the mission of Muhammad (ﷺ), and the next verses from 6 to 10 were revealed when Muhammad (ﷺ) faced intense opposition from the people of Quraysh, who mocked him for being a fortune teller. Verses 11 to 19 were sent down when Muhammad (ﷺ) confronted the Mushriks, who doubted Allah’s power to bring the dead back to life. Verses 20 to 25 were revealed when the people of Quraysh tried to harm our Prophet (ﷺ) physically and mentally.

Narrated by Yahya (R.A):

“I asked Aba Salama, “Which Surah of the Qur’an was revealed first?” He replied, “O you, wrapped up’ (Al-Muddaththir).” I said, “I have been informed that it was, ‘Read, in the Name of your Lord who created (i.e. Surat Al-Alaq) (Sahih Bukhari 4924, Book 65)

Surah Alaq highlights Allah's miracles, especially His creation of humankind. Allah explains how He created humans from blood, emphasizing our transformation from tiny clots into strong adults. He tells us how He brings us to this world, nourishes us, and strengthens our muscles and bones. But those who do not believe in Allah's miracles turn their backs and stand against the messages sent by Allah through His Prophets. All such disbelievers will enter Hell, which is a horrible place for a human to live.

Allah sent down the verses of Surah Al Alaq to remind humankind to avoid arrogance and encourage us to be humble and submissive to Allah. It is our duty to show gratitude to the Lord, as it brings rewards and spiritual benefits in both the worldly life and the life hereafter.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-’Alaq by Renowned Qaris

The Quran was sent down in Arabic, as it was the language of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and the first audience of the Quran. Arabic is an eloquent and powerful language with a vast range of syntax. A single word can be pronounced in different ways, and more importantly, its meanings may change altogether when pronounced differently. As regards the Quran, it comprises the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Hence, it becomes extremely important, and rather sensitive, to pronounce every word of the Quran exactly the way it was taught by the Prophet Muhammad سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. That's why scholars emphasize that the Quran must be recited with Tajweed. It is the religious duty of every Muslim to learn the correct recitation of the Quran.    

The best practical way to learn the correct recitation of the Quran is to listen to authentic, renowned Qaris (reciters). By doing so, one can easily learn how to pronounce a particular Quranic phrase correctly, including Surah Al-’Alaq. Consistently listening to an authentic Qari's recitation helps listeners pronounce Quranic words correctly with Tajweed. It also supports those who want to listen to the Quran instead of reading it themselves.   

The MuslimandQuran mobile app lets you listen to Quran recitation. Recitations by different renowned and authentic Qaris are available on our website and mobile application, and you can listen on your mobile devices or laptops whenever you like. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the Muslim and Quran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-’Alaq.

You can download our mobile app for both Android and iOS by clicking the links given below:

• Mobile Application for iOS
• Mobile Application for Android 

Surah Al-’Alaq PDF

The MuslimandQuran mobile app lets you read the Quran online. If you want to read it offline, you can also download any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-’Alaq, as a PDF.

You can download Surah Al-’Alaq in PDF by following these simple steps:

• Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
• In the Destination dropdown menu, choose Save as PDF.
• Click Save to download Al-’Alaq to your device.

FAQs: