Surah 96
العلق
Al-'Alaq
The Clot
Surah Context
Which was revealed in Makkah This was the First of the Qur'an revealed The Beginning of the Prophethood of Muhammad and the First of the Qur'an revealed Imam Ahmad recorded that `A'ishah said: The first thing that began happening with the.
Classical references: Ibn Kathir (Abridged).
Source: Ibn Kathir (Abridged) (96:1).
Last reviewed: 2026-04-10.
This is a short orientation note and does not replace full tafsir.
Read! In the name of your Lord who created:
He created manfrom a clinging form.
Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One
who taught by [means of] the pen,
who taught man what he did not know.
But man exceeds all bounds
when he thinks he is self-sufficient:
[Prophet], all will return to your Lord.
Have you seen the man who forbids
[Our] servant to pray?
Have you seen whether he is rightly guided,
or encourages true piety?
Have you seen whether he denies the truth and turns away from it?
Does he not realize that God sees all?
No! If he does not stop, We shall drag him by his forehead––
his lying, sinful forehead.
Let him summon his comrades;
We shall summon the guards of Hell.
No! Do not obey him [Prophet]: bow down in worship and draw close.