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Surah Al-Alaq - The Clot

(Revealed at Mecca)

19 Verses in 1 Section

Sections of Surah Al-Alaq

  1. The Prophet commissioned to preach

Al-Alaq - The Prophet Commissioned To Preach

The Holy Prophet (Muhammad) commanded to read or to convey the message of Islam i.e., Surrender of the self to the Creator Lord Cherisher of the Universe who taught man what he knew not.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

“In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful”

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ

“Read thou! (O’ Our Apostle Muhammad!) In the name of thy Lord Who created (Everything in the Universe)” (96:1)

خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

“He created man from a clot1!” (96:2)

اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ

“Recite (Thou O’ Our Apostle Muhammad!) And thy Lord is the Most Honourable!” (96:3)

الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ

“(He) Who taught (to write) with the Pen2“ (96:4)

عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

“(He) taught man what he knew not!” (96:5)

كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ

“Nay! Verily man is wont to rebel!” (96:6)

أَنْ رَآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ

“As he deemeth himself needless3!” (96:7)

إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَىٰ

“Verily unto thy Lord (alone) is the return!” (96:8)

أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَىٰ

“Hast, thou seen the man who forbiddeth?” (96:9)

عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰ

“A servant when he4prayeth?” (96:10)

أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ

“Hast, thou seen if he were rightly guided5?” (96:11)

أَوْ أَمَرَ بِالتَّقْوَىٰ

“Or enjoined piety?” (96:12)

أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ

‘Hast, thou seen if he belieth the Truth and turneth (his) back?” (96:13)

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَىٰ

“Knowest he not that God seeth?” (96:14)

كَلَّا لَئِنْ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ

“Nay! (let him beware!) if he desisteth not, We shall surely drag him by the forelock!” (96:15)

نَاصِيَةٍ كَاذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ

“A forelock, lying, sinful!” (96:16)

فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُ

“Then let him summon his fellows in council” (96:17)

سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ

“We too will summon the Angels of the Hell (to punish)” (96:18)

كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ

“Nay! Heed him not! Prostrate thou in obeisance (unto thy Lord) and draw thyself near (unto Him)!” (96:19)

SAJADAH - Prostration – Wajib – Compulsory.

Commentary

Verse 1

The popular report of the commentators is that this Surah or the first five verses of it were the first revelations received by the Holy Prophet through the Messenger Angel Gabriel in the cave of Hira. Formerly the Holy Prophet used to receive the communion through dreams and the voices while he was alone in lonely places and did not see the speaker.

In the fortieth year of his life on the 27th night of the month Rajab when the Holy Prophet was busy in his meditation and prayers in the cave on the Mount Hira, in deep silence and the calm atmosphere, all of a sudden, he heard a voice calling him by name and a flood of light broke in upon him with dazzling splendour. He composedly beheld a human form approaching. It was the Messenger Angel Gabriel, who, coming quite near, held a silken scroll before him and asked him to read what was written thereon. He felt his mind fully illumined with the Divine Light and his eyes were opened to the writing on the scroll and he recited the first five verses of this Surah. When he had finished the recitation, the Angel announced ‘‘O’ Muhammad! verily thou art the Apostle of God and I am His Angel Gabriel!” The address with the designation was the signal to start the ministry. The Angel saying this disappeared.

Besides the Holy Prophet getting charged with the reading of the Word of God, his memory was divinely conditioned with retention and what he recited only once, before the Angel, remained graven on his heart. Returning home the Holy Prophet who was now to start his mission as the Apostle of Cod, preaching the Gospel of the divine Unity and inviting the erring humanity to the right path of worshipping none but the One and the only True God, the Greater Lord of the Universe, and to mould the human life according to the divinely prescribed code of morals, he first informed his righteous wife Khadija of his receiving the heavenly commission and his being charged with the ministry. Khadija immediately believed in what the Holy Prophet said and along with Khadija the young Ali was the first to join the Holy Prophet in the faith. Thus, these two were the first followers of the Last Apostle of the Lord.

The story of the Holy Prophet getting fright-stricken, returning home trembling, Khadija con-soling him, his being taken like a frightened child to be consoled by Waraqa Ibn Naufil, are all mere stories of some Jewish fabrications against the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet says ‘‘I was the Apostle of God when Adam was still amidst waler and the clay”. Besides the one who was destined to be the Last Apostle, or the Final Warner and his advent was prophesied in all the ancient scriptures, could never have been in the least perturbed at meeting the Angel. All such stories about the personality of the Holy Prophet are fabricated with such dramatic art that even many among the Muslims have been deluded, to themselves relate them. The word ‘Iqra’ means, Read, Recite or Proclaim.

Now the Holy Prophet was in direct communion with God through the Messenger Angel Gabriel, charged with the open declaration of his ministry to mankind as a whole.

Note: God is introduced to Man, first with His attribute of ‘Ruboobiyat’, i.e., Fostering. A Fosterer continues his careful patronage until the person attains the ability to manage his own affairs and reaches the goal of his life. Therefore, God’s care is always with man until he attains salvation.

It is also announced to man that His Creator is none but God, Who being the “Rabb” did not create him and left him to himself but takes care of him.

“Rabb” has been mentioned in relation to the Holy Prophet. Since the “Rabb”, is the “Rabb” of one and all in the universe, the Holy Prophet is a representative not only of mankind but the Creation of God, as a whole.

Now the messages which were conveyed through the previous apostles were meant for the particular units of the human race and for the particular ages6. But the message now given to the Holy Prophet, is a Universal Message for the human race as a whole, in every part of the globe and for all times. He, the Holy Prophet, is the Vicegerent of God on earth and it was this fact that was announced to the angels when God willed to create Adam that He intended to appoint a Vicegerent of His, in the earth7. The vicegerent mentioned by God, was not Adam but the one, God intended to create in the seed of Adam, i.e., the Holy Prophet Muhammad whom He willed to be the Guide for the human race as a whole8 and as His Mercy for the worlds9.

According to M.B. the particle ‘Ba’ here is superfluous10, thus the actual meaning would be ‘Read the name of thy Lord’ and not ‘Read in the name of thy Lord’ then the meaning would be the same as given in verse 17:110.

The first five verses of this Chapter are generally considered to be the first part of Qur’an revealed to the Holy Prophet. There are several stories about the way and manner which the Angel Gabriel brought these verses and the Holy Prophet’s reaction to the first appearance of Gabriel with the revelation, including reference to Waraqa Ibn Naufil - and his giving assurance to the Holy Prophet or to Khadija that what was experienced was certainly divine are the mixture of some facts with wishful imagination of those who were far from appreciating the Holy Prophet’s communion with God or the angels. The description of the Holy Prophet’s life from his birth up to the age of forty when he was commissioned to deliver the last Word of God to mankind, given briefly by Ali, mentioned in ‘Nahj al-Balaaghah’, discredits all these stories.

The Holy Prophet was under the divine care, being taught and trained, since his birth he was fully alive to the task of the ministry which awaited him, blest with Divine Light and guidance in all aspects of his life. Not only the Holy Prophet was aware of the whole situation, even the young disciple Ali who used to follow the footsteps of the Holy Prophet, since his birth, would experience the light of revelation and would sense the task which his Master was about to be commissioned with. There was no question of the Holy Prophet being surprised, fearing or doubting or shivering or in need of Khadija’s or Waraqa’s consolation or certification. The very verses itself ‘Eqra’ implies that he was in the Know- of all the names of God and that they implied the various aspects by the creation and legislation. In short, he was in the Know of the Book of God. He was just ordered to read.

Otherwise, it is not reasonable to order a person who cannot read, to read11. In the third verse again repeats the order to read, and in verses 4 and 5 expressively says that God has taught by the means of the divines, Pen - taught man whatever he did not know, and if this is read with 55:1-4, it becomes clear that the person who was sent to represent the universal grace (as the Rahmatun lil-Aalameen) for all the worlds was already taught by Rahman simultaneously with his creation.

Thus ‘Be’that’ or ‘Be’sat’ does not mean the beginning of his prophethood, but it means the beginning of his ministry. Otherwise, he was the prophet when Adam was yet to be made. (A.P.)

Verse 2

Man is reminded of the lowly origin of the animal in him, in contrast to the great heights of intellectual, moral and spiritual excellence, open to him to reach, with sincere will and the faithful endeavour, essential for the rise12.

Verse 3

This is the grant of the commission to the ministry with the command to proclaim only the Truth to mankind and to start openly, the invitation to the people to the right way to salvation.

Verse 4

‘Qalam’, i.e., pen is a mystic symbol13. In this outer world also pen, is the source of learning and knowledge. Reading needs some inscribed matter and pen is the first need to inscribe. Inscription needs no ink for pen could create the inscription on any matter without any liquid. Permanent inscription is that which is graven deep on any matter without the risk of the figures, made of some liquid, fading away or getting wiped out. The commandments given to Moses, were on Tablets of stone with the matter engraved on them.

Verse 5

Reference to the humblest origin of man and the gradual growth of consciousness and knowledge in him with the development of the wonderful faculties endowed in him14.

Verse 6-7

Having received the grace and the bounties from his Creator Lord, man gets rebellious - forgets his origin and his inherent helplessness, and thinks that he is self-sufficient and can-do things without any help and without the fear of any one to check or control him or his being) accountable to the Lord. Though this is a general statement, but its immediate application was meant for Abu Jahl one of the leaders of the enemies of the Holy Prophet and Islam. It is said that once Abu Jahl told some men ‘‘You see Muhammad praying, placing his forehead on the ground and you do not stop him. I swear that if I see him again doing it, I will stand on his neck until he is choked to death”

One of his men said ‘‘He (the Holy Prophet) is now in his prayers in his own fashion” Abu Jahl started for the place but hating approached very near the Holy Prophet returned with an aw al-stricken face struck with some dread, and reported that while he intended to get near the Holy Prophet, he saw a big ditch filled with flaming fire between him and the Holy Prophet with a huge dragon ready to pounce upon him. These verses refer to the conduct of Abu Jahl.

Man having received everything he possesses, from God, gets lost in his vanity and insolence and imagines all the gifts of God as his own achievements and becomes inordinate.

Verses from verse 6 downward are of much later period but the Holy Prophet ordered to be put here and this is the best proof that the arrangement was not on chronological consideration. There is no single tradition to show, to present this chapter as misarranged. (A.P.).

Verse 8

Man should remember that ultimate, for the return of everything in the Universe is to the Lord.

Verse 9-10

Reference to Abul Jehl’s conduct See note on verse 6 and 7 above - ‘The one who prayed’ is the reference to the Holy Prophet.

Abu Jahl the inveterate enemy of the Holy Prophet and Islam, in the early days of the Holy Prophet’s ministry, used not only to tease the Holy Prophet but also to obstruct the others joining the faith or listening to the Islamic preachings and persecuted those who did not yield to his obstruction.

Verse 11-12

He (Abu Jahl) would not have done it if he had been guided aright.

One should always guard himself against getting misled by wicked minds, by a careful study- and scrutiny of the bonafide of their claims.

Verse 13

With the consideration enjoined in the two verses above, here it is said, that man must always be on his guard against the crooked minds who mislead others.

The great Muslim Mystic Roomi says:

Ai basa Iblees Aadam rooyi hast

Pas bahardasti nashayad daad dast

i.e. ‘‘Often times Satan appears in human form. Thus, one should not give his hand (surrender) into the hand of every one that appears to be human”

Verse 14

Does not man know that God is ever vigilant and sees and knows his deeds and his motives? Man should always be conscious and mindful of God’s presence and his being seen by his Lord.

Verse 15

This prophecy was fulfilled even in this life at Badr where Abu Jahl was smitten on his forehead. But the warning here is about the punishment, Abu Jahl will receive in the life hereafter and on the Day of the Final Judgment.

The other instance which is said about Abu Jahl’s earning this punishment for him was – that once Abu Jahl met the Holy Prophet and warned him for offering the prayers in the Islamic way and threatened him saying that he had the great number of leading personalities of the people on his side. This verse was revealed saying that if Abu Jahl does not desist from his disbelief and the aggressive and wicked ways, on the Day of Judgment he will be dragged by his forelock and thrown in the flaming hell-fire.

Verse 16

This is the description of the qualities of the man Abu Jahl. The parts of his body are taken for his personality.

Verse 17

When Abu Jahl will be receiving the return for his disbelief and wickedness, i.e., when on the Day of Judgment, he will be committed to the hell-fire, let him then call his council of assembly to his aid, i.e., his council will be of no avail to him then.

Verse 18

Abu Jahl will not be able to call any one to his help nor will any one of his councils be able to be of any avail to him. On the other hand, angels will be called to execute the punishment to him.

Though the reference is to Abu Jahl and the address is to the Holy Prophet, in fact the Holy Prophet was not the one to have been even in the least affected or influenced by Abu Jahl’s threats in having his own way. It is a command to mankind never to adhere or care for such threats or any evil influences in the execution of the prescribed duties, particularly in the matter of paying obeisance to the Lord but to go on with the prayerful way of getting nearer and nearer to the Lord, earning His pleasure.

The recital of this verse must be followed by a ‘Sajdah’, i.e., prostration which is compulsory for each reciter and everyone who listens to the recital.

Verse 19

According to Shafayi, none of the verses of Qur’an recommending Sajdah is compulsory and according to Abu-Haneefa all the places, where the Sajdah is mentioned is Wajib - and according to the School of Ahl Al-Bayt ‘Sajdah’ is ‘Wajib’ only in four places:

(1) Alif, Lam, Sajdah,

(2) Ha Meem. Sajdah,

(3) ‘An-Najm’ and

(4) Iqra and in the other places, it is optional. (A.P.).

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