Names
This surah is called Surat Al-?Alaq. [544] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 3/433.
It is also called Iqra? bismi Rabbika (Recite in the name of your Lord).
It was narrated that Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Mu?adh ibn Jabal Al-Ansari led his companions in prayer, and made it too lengthy for them. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to him: ?Do you want to cause trouble, O Mu?adh?? When you lead people in prayer, recite? ?Ash-Shamsi wa duhaha (the sun and its light) Ash-Shams 91 Sabbih isma rabbik Al-a?la (Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High) Al-A ?la 87 or Iqra? bismi Rabbika (Recite in the name of your Lord) Al-?Alaq 96 or ?Al-layli idha yaghsha (the night when it covers)? Al-Layl 92 . [545] Narrated by Muslim, 46 ?
Virtues and characteristics of the surah
The first five verses of this surah were the first verses of the Qur?an to be revealed. [546] This is the view of most of the scholars. See: Tafsir At-Tha?labi, 10/242; Ibn Taymiyah: Majma? Al-Fatawa, 16/254; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/433.
It was narrated that ?A?ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), said: The first thing with which the Revelation began for the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was true dreams which he saw in his sleep; he did not see any dream but it came true like the light of dawn. Then solitude was made dear to him, and he used to withdraw to the cave of Hira? where he would worship Allah for a number of nights before returning to his family to collect more provisions; so he would go back to Khadijah and take more provisions. Then the truth came to him suddenly when he was in the cave of Hira?. The angel came to him and said: ?Read!? The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ?I am not a reader.? He said: He took hold of me and squeezed me until I could not bear it, then he released me and said: ?Read!? I said: ?I am not a reader.? Then he took hold of me a second time and squeezed me until I could not bear it, then he released me and said: ?Read!? I said: ?I am not a reader.? Then he took hold of me a third time and squeezed me until I could not bear it, then he released me and said:
Recite in the name of your Lord who created
Created man from a clinging substance
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous
Who taught by the pen,
Taught man that which he knew not
Al-?Alaq 96:1-5.
This surah contains a sajdah (verse in which a prostration is required).
The evidence for that includes the report from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: We prostrated with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in Idha As-Sama?u inshaqqat (When the sky has split open) Al-Inshiqaq 84 and Iqra? bismi Rabbika (Recite in the name of your Lord) Al-?Alaq 96. [547] Narrated by Muslim, 578, 108. This The sajdah is in the verse But prostrate and draw near to Allah Al-?Alaq 96:19.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-?Alaq is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [548] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Qurtubi. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/472; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/466; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 20/117.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Reassuring the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and warning anyone who seeks to hinder the call of Islam. [549] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/434; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/451.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-?Alaq include:
Affirming the high status of reading and writing, knowledge and learning.
Warning anyone who seeks to hinder the call of Islam.
Informing the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that Allah (%) was aware what his enemies were plotting against him, and that He would subdue them and cause him to prevail over them.
The command to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to carry on in his path, and to pray and seek to draw close to his Lord.