Sūrah Al-ʿAlaq The Clinging Substance
سورة العلق
The first five verses revealed to the Prophet ﷺ the very beginning of the Quran. The sūrah then continues with a second revelation rebuking Abū Jahl for preventing prayer. It establishes reading, creation, and divine teaching as the foundations of prophethood.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
Ibn Kathīr opens this tafsīr with the complete ḥadīth of ʿĀʾishah (Bukhārī and Muslim) narrating the first revelation: the Prophet ﷺ alone in the cave of Ḥirāʾ, Jibrīl appearing and embracing him three times saying "Iqraʾ!" each time, and the Prophet responding "Mā anā bi-qāriʾ" (I am not a reader). After the third embrace, the first five verses were revealed. He ran home trembling to Khadījah, who covered him and consoled him, then took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal who recognized the revelation.
The second section of the sūrah was revealed later, rebuking Abū Jahl (identified by name in ḥadīth though called "the one who forbids" in the text) for threatening the Prophet ﷺ when he prayed. Ibn Kathīr records the ḥadīth where Abū Jahl threatened to trample the Prophet's neck if he saw him prostrating Allah revealed these verses in direct response, declaring that if he did not desist, Allah would seize him by the forehead.
- First revelation: These five verses mark the beginning of prophethood the moment the Quran entered the world through the cave of Ḥirāʾ in the month of Ramaḍān.
- Teaching by the pen: "Allama bil-qalam" Allah taught mankind through writing, making literacy and learning a divine gift to humanity.
- ʿAlaq (clinging substance): The humble biological origin of man contrasts with his tendency toward arrogance remembering origin cures pride.
- Abū Jahl rebuked: The one who tried to prevent the Prophet from prayer is warned with divine seizure by the forehead divine protection of worship.
- Prostrate and draw near: The sūrah ends with a sajdah verse "Prostrate and draw near" making this both the first revelation and an immediate command to worship.