Surah Al-Alaq is a great surah that holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims. It is the first surah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and carries many important messages.
It calls upon individuals to reflect upon the creation of Allah and to prepare for the Day of Judgment. In this article, we will explore the interpretation of Surat Al-Alaq, clarifying the reasons for its revelation, its content, and what it means for Muslims.
The History and Reasons for the Revelation of Surah Al-Alaq
Surat Al-Alaq is the first surah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It was revealed in the Cave of Hira in Makkah, in the thirteenth year before the Hijrah, when the Prophet was forty years old.
The surah descended upon the Prophet Muhammad while he was in a state of contemplation and reflection upon the universe and life. Jibril (Gabriel) came to him and said, “Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
As for the reasons for the revelation of Surat Al-Alaq, there are two main reasons:
The first reason is to convey the message of Allah and initiate the Prophet Muhammad’s mission of inviting people to Islam.
The second reason is to strengthen the heart of the Prophet after he faced many difficulties and hardships at the beginning of his call, including persecution from the polytheists of Quraysh.
The Revelation of Surah Al-Alaq
The first five verses of Surat Al-Alaq were revealed in the thirteenth year before the Hijrah. The remaining 14 verses were revealed three years or more after that. The surah was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad on various occasions, including:
- The descent of verses 6 to 10
When the Prophet Muhammad faced the opposition of the polytheists of Quraysh, who accused him of sorcery and divination.
- The descent of verses 11 to 19
When the Prophet Muhammad confronted some disbelievers who doubted Allah’s ability to resurrect the dead.
- The descent of verses 20 to 25
When the persecution of the polytheists of Quraysh intensified, and they tried to harm the Prophet Muhammad through their words and actions.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah At-Tin
Themes of Surat Al-Alaq
Surah Al-Alaq addresses several important themes, including:
1- The obligation of reading and learning
The surah begins with the command to the Prophet Muhammad to “Read,” highlighting the importance of reading, learning, and seeking knowledge from Allah.
2- The greatness of Allah
The surah emphasizes the greatness of Allah and invites individuals to reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth, as well as the creative power of Allah in the creation of human beings.
3- The resurrection of humanity from death
The surah affirms Allah’s capability of resurrection and calls upon individuals to prepare for the Day of Judgment.
4- Allah’s support for the Prophet Muhammad
The surah gives glad tidings to the Prophet Muhammad about Allah’s support for him and the sufficiency of Allah against his enemies.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Quraysh
Facts about Surah Al-Alaq
Surah Al-Alaq is a surah of great virtue and reward for those who contemplate its meanings and worship by reciting it. Here are some facts about it:
- It is the first surah revealed from the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
- It is named Surah Iqra (Read) because it begins with the word “Iqra” (Read).
- Whoever recites it, it is as if they have recited the entire Quran ten times.
- Whoever recites it three times in one night, Allah rewards them as if they fasted for a month and prayed during its nights.
- Whoever recites it before sleep will be protected from the torment of the grave.
- Whoever recites it will enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of Hellfire.
- It is one of the best surahs for warding off Satan and evil spirits.
- It is equivalent to one-fourth of the Quran and is better than the world and everything in it.
Tafsir of Surah Al-Alaq
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
1. Read: In the Name of your Lord, who created.
2. Created man from a clinging clot.
3. Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous.
4. He Who taught by the pen.
5. Taught man what he never knew.
6. In fact, the human being oversteps all bounds.
7. When he considers himself exempt.
8. But to your Lord is the return.
9. Have you seen him who prevents?
10. A servant when he prays?
12. Or advocates righteousness?
13. Did you see how he denied and turned away?
14. Does he not know that Allah sees?
15. No. If he does not desist, We will drag him by the forelock.
16. A lying, sinful forelock.
17. So let him call his gang.
18. We will call the Wardens.
19. No, do not obey him, but bow down, and come near.
{ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ (1) خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ (2) ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ (3) ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلۡقَلَمِ (4) عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ (5) كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ (6) أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ (7) إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجۡعَىٰٓ (8) أَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي يَنۡهَىٰ (9) عَبۡدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ (10) أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ (11) أَوۡ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقۡوَىٰٓ (12) أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ (13) أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ (14) كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمۡ يَنتَهِ لَنَسۡفَعَۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ (15) نَاصِيَةٖ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٖ (16) فَلۡيَدۡعُ نَادِيَهُۥ (17) سَنَدۡعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ (18) كَلَّا لَا تُطِعۡهُ وَٱسۡجُدۡۤ وَٱقۡتَرِب۩ (19)}
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Kawthar
Read in the name of your Lord who created.
Allah, the Most High, commanded His Prophet Muhammad to read, indicating the importance of reading and learning, and the necessity of seeking knowledge from Allah. Reading is the process of receiving and understanding information, and it is one of the most important means that help humans acquire knowledge.
Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad to read, emphasizing the importance of reading, learning, and seeking knowledge from Allah. Knowledge is a light that illuminates a person’s life and enables them to understand the universe and life.
Created man from a clinging substance.
Allah, the Most High, created man from a clinging substance, which is a frozen clot of blood. This indicates Allah’s ability to create from nothingness. The clinging substance is a stage in the development of the human fetus, which begins approximately two weeks after conception. During this stage, the fetus is a small mass of coagulated blood.
Allah, the Most High, created man from this humble material, indicating His ability to create from nothingness. Allah is capable of creating everything from nothing, and nothing is beyond His power.
Read, and your Lord is the most generous.
Allah, the Most High, commanded His Prophet Muhammad to read, indicating that it is Allah who taught mankind reading, writing, and knowledge. Human beings did not learn reading and writing on their own, but Allah taught them. Allah, the Most High, taught mankind everything they did not know.
[He] who taught by the pen.
Allah, the Most High, taught mankind what they did not know, indicating His favor upon humanity and His ability to teach them everything they desire. Humans are not born knowing everything, but they learn through their interaction with the surrounding environment.
Allah, the Most High, taught mankind everything, indicating His favor upon humanity. Allah has favored humans over all other creatures and taught them everything they need in their lives.
No! Indeed, man transgresses.
This verse emphasizes that man quickly exceeds his limits, disobeys his Creator, and feels independent in himself. Despite being a weak creature, man tends towards arrogance and superiority, feeling self-sufficient. The verse affirms that no matter how arrogant and proud man becomes, his ultimate return is to Allah, who will hold him accountable for all his deeds.
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
The reason for this arrogance is that man believes himself to be self-sufficient and does not need Allah’s care. When man sees himself as strong and wealthy, he feels that he does not need anyone and does not require the care of Allah. However, no matter how powerful and wealthy man becomes, he still needs Allah, and it is Allah who provides him with everything he needs.
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
No matter how much man achieves in worldly matters, he will ultimately return to Allah in the Hereafter, and Allah will hold him accountable for all his deeds.
Have you seen the one who forbids?
This is a rhetorical question directed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, asking him to reflect on the state of a person who prevents others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion.
A servant when he prays.
The reference is to the fact that a person who prevents others from praying is a corrupt individual and deserves punishment from Allah. Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and one of the most important acts of worship through which a person seeks closeness to Allah.
Have you not seen if he is upon guidance or enjoins righteousness?
This is a rhetorical question directed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), asking him to reflect on the situation of a person who forbids others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion, whether he is upon guidance, meaning the path of truth.
Have you not seen if he denies and turns away?
The question is about the outcome of a person who forbids others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion if he denies and refuses to abandon his actions.
Does he not know that Allah sees?
The question is about the knowledge of a person who forbids others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion that Allah Almighty sees him and knows everything he does. Nothing is hidden from Allah, and He knows all of a person’s actions, even if they are done in secret. It emphasizes that no matter what a person does, Allah knows about it and will hold them accountable for their deeds.
Nay, if he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock.
This is a threat of severe punishment to the person who forbids others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion if he does not stop his actions. Allah will not leave such a person without punishment. If he does not desist, Allah will punish him severely.
A lying sinning forelock.
This indicates that the punishment will be severe. The one who forbids others from praying is an arrogant and self-exalted person who does not deserve mercy. The term “forelock” refers to Abu Jahl’s forehead, which is a false front in everything he says and does. The description implies that the one with this “forelock” is a liar and prone to error.
So let him call his associates.
It is an invitation to the person who forbids others from praying to seek support from those who share his injustice.
We will call the angels of Hell.
It announces that Allah will summon the angels of punishment to punish the person who forbids others from praying and tries to corrupt their religion.
Nay, do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
It commands obedience to Allah and advises to stay away from obeying anyone who forbids others from praying. A Muslim should obey Allah and follow His commands. They should avoid obeying anyone who prevents others from praying.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Falaq
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