Al-ʿAlaq
Makkan Period
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
[1] Recite in the name of your Lord Who created, [2] created man from a clot of congealed blood. [3] Recite: and your Lord is Most Generous, [4] Who taught by the pen, [5] taught man what he did not know.1
[6] Nay,2 surely man transgresses; [7] for he believes himself to be self-sufficient. [8] Surely to your Lord is your return. [9] Did you see him who forbids [10] a servant (of Allah) when he prays? [11] Did you consider: what if he is on the Right Way, [12] and enjoins piety? [13] Did you consider: what if he gives the lie (to the Truth) and turns away (from it)? [14] Does he not know that Allah sees everything? [15] No indeed; if he does not desist, We shall drag him by the forelock; [16] by the lying forelock steeped in sin. [17] So let him summon his helpmates; [18] We too shall summon the guards of Hell. [19] No, not at all. Never obey him. But prostrate yourself and become nigh (to your Lord).
1. These are the very first verses of the Qur’ān that were revealed to the Prophet (peace be on him).
2. The present verse and the ones that follow were revealed while the Prophet (peace be on him) was praying in the sacred sanctuary of Makkah after being designated a Prophet.