First Verses Revealed to Holy Prophet
Al-Alaq is the 96th chapter of the Quran that has 19 verses and is in the 30th Juz. It is Makki and the first Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
In the second verse of the Surah, God says that He created man from Alaq (a clot of blood) and from this word comes the name of the chapter.
According to Quran interpreters, when the Prophet (PBUH) was in the Jabal Al Nour’s Cave of Hira, Angel Gabriel came to him and told him: “Read!” Muhammad (PBUH) said he was not a reader. Gabriel squeezed Muhammad (PBUH) so tight it caused him to lose all his energy. Angel Gabriel repeated the request again and Muhammad (PBUH) had the same response.
Then the verses of Surah Al-Alaq were revealed by Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “Read in the name of your Lord who created (all things)…”
The Prophet (PBUH) who had become very tired went him and asked his wife to cover him with an attire so that he could take rest.
The general theme of Surah Al-Alaq is Tawhid (monotheism), honoring knowledge and pen, and also the relation between worldly possessions and man’s rebellion.
God in the Surah orders the Prophet (PBUH) to read and then talks about man, with all his greatness, being created from a worthless clot of blood. Then the Surah talks about man moving toward perfection with the help of God and becoming acquainted with the pen and knowledge.
The Surah also refers to people who rebel and points to the painful punishment for those who prevent people from reaching guidance and doing good deeds.
Then, it orders prostrating and getting nearer to God.
According to Allameh Tabatabaei in Al-Mizan Exegesis of the Holy Quran, the divine command to read is an order to the Prophet (PBUH) to read the Quran’s verses.
