Al-Alaq

سُورَةُ العَلَقِ

The Clot

**In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful** It is commonly known among the commentators that this Surah is the first Surah that was revealed to the Holy Prophet (S) of Islam. The contents of the Surah also confirm this idea. Some have said that the first Surah is Surah Fatihah, or perhaps Surah Muddaththir, but again this is contrary to what is commonly thought. First, this Surah addresses the Holy Prophet (S) and commands him to read or proclaim (the Message). Then, it refers to the creation of Man out of a mere clot. Further, it refers to the development of Man, who is taught from the bounty and by the Grace of Allah; the soul in him reaching out to knowledge sublime, and the instrument of it, the sanctified Pen. Thereafter, it speaks about ungrateful Man, and that despite all the blessings and graciousness that Allah bestows on him, he rebels. Following this, it points to the painful chastisement of those who cause a hindrance on the road to guidance and righteous deeds. Then, the Surah ends with a command to prostration, and of drawing closer to Allah.

1. بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

   Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq

   READ IN THE name of your Lord who created,

2. خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

   Khalaqal insaana min 'alaq

   Created man from an embryo;

3. ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ

   Iqra wa rab bukal akram

   Read, for your Lord is most beneficent,

4. ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ

   Al lazee 'allama bil qalam

   Who taught by the pen,

5. عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

   'Al lamal insaana ma lam y'alam

   Taught man what he did not know.

6. كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ

   Kallaa innal insaana layatghaa

   And yet, but yet man is rebellious,

7. أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ

   Ar-ra aahus taghnaa

   For he thinks he is sufficient in himself.

8. إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ

   Innna ilaa rabbikar ruj'aa

   Surely your returning is to your Lord.

9. أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ

   Ara-aital lazee yanhaa

   Have you seen him who restrains

10. عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ

    'Abdan iza sallaa

    A votary when he turns to his devotions?

11. أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

    Ara-aita in kana 'alal hudaa

    Have you thought, if he had been on guidance

12. أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ

    Au amara bit taqwaa

    Or had enjoined piety, (it would have been better)?

13. أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

    Ara-aita in kaz zaba wa ta walla

    Have you thought that if he denies and turns away,

14. أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ

    Alam y'alam bi-an nal lahaa yaraa

    Does he not know that God sees?

15. كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ

    Kalla la illam yantahi la nasfa'am bin nasiyah

    And yet indeed if he does not desist We shall drag him by the forelock,

16. نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ

    Nasiyatin kazi batin khaatiyah

    By the lying, the sinful forelock.

17. فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ

    Fal yad'u naadiyah

    So let him call his associates,

18. سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ

    Sanad 'uz zabaaniyah

    We shall call the guards of Hell.

19. كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩

    Kalla; la tuti'hu wasjud waqtarib

    Beware! Do not obey him, but bow in adoration and draw near (to your Lord).