Surah Al Alaq to Read in Arabic, English Translation, Transliteration, Tafseer, Benefits & Lessons
Surah Al-‘Alaq (سورة العلق) The Clot / The Embryo
| Surah Number: 96 | Juz: 30 |
| Revelation Place: Makkah | Total Verses: 19 |
| Main Theme: The first revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasizing reading, knowledge, and creation. It warns against arrogance and calls for obedience to Allah. | |
Surah Al-‘Alaq Arabic, Transliteration & English Translation (Ayah-wise)
| Ayah 1 Arabic: اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ Transliteration: Iqra’ bismi rabbika allathee khalaq Translation: Read in the name of your Lord who created. |
| Ayah 2 Arabic: خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ Transliteration: Khalaqal-insāna min ‘alaq Translation: Created man from a clinging clot. |
| Ayah 3 Arabic: اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ Transliteration: Iqra’ wa rabbukal-akram Translation: Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous. |
| Ayah 4 Arabic: الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ Transliteration: Alladhī ‘allama bil-qalam Translation: Who taught by the pen. |
| Ayah 5 Arabic: عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ Transliteration: ‘Allamal-insāna mā lam ya‘lam Translation: Taught man that which he knew not. |
| Ayah 6–7 Arabic: كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ Transliteration: Kallā inna al-insāna layaṭghā, an ra’āhu istaghnā Translation: No! Indeed, man transgresses because he sees himself self-sufficient. |
| Ayah 8–9 Arabic: إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَىٰ أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَىٰ Transliteration: Inna ilā rabbika al-ruj‘ā. Ara’ayta allathee yanhā Translation: Verily, to your Lord is the return. Have you seen the one who forbids? |
| Ayah 10–11 Arabic: عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰ أَرَأَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ Transliteration: ‘Abdan idhā ṣallā. Ara’ayta in kāna ‘alā al-hudā Translation: A servant when he prays? Have you seen if he is upon guidance? |
| Ayah 19 Arabic: كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ Transliteration: Kallā lā tuṭi‘hu wasjud waqtarib Translation: No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah]. |
Surah Al-Alaq Full English Translation
1. Read in the name of your Lord who created.
2. Created man from a clot (a clinging substance).
3. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous
4. Who taught by the pen
5. Taught man what he did not know.
6. No! Indeed, man surely transgresses
7. Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
8. Surely, to your Lord is the return.
9. Have you seen the one who prevents
10. A servant when he prays?
11. Do you think he is upon guidance?
12. Or enjoins righteousness?
13. Have you seen if he denies and turns away
14. Does he not know that Allah sees?
15. No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock
16. A lying, sinful forelock.
17. Then let him call his council;
18. We will call the angels of punishment.
19. No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near (to Allah).
Surah Al-Alaq Full English Transliteration
1. Iqra’ bismi rabbika alladhī khalaq
2. Khalaqa al-insāna min ‘alaq
3. Iqra’ wa rabbuka al-akram
4. Alladhī ‘allama bil-qalam
5. ‘Allama al-insāna mā lam ya‘lam
6. Kallā inna al-insāna la-yaṭghā
7. Ar-ra’āhu staghna
8. Inna ilā rabbika ar-ruj‘ā
9. Ara’ayta alladhī yanhā
10. ‘Abdan idhā ṣallā
11. Ara’ayta in kāna ‘ala al-hudā
12. Aw amara bi-t-taqwā
13. Ara’ayta in kadh-dhaba wa tawallā
14. Alam ya‘lam bi-anna Allāha yarā
15. Kallā la’in lam yantahī lanasfa‘an bi-n-nāṣiyah
16. Nāṣiyatin kādhibatin khāṭi’ah
17. Falyad‘u nādiyah
18. Sanad‘u az-zabāniyah
19. Kallā lā tuṭi‘hu wasjud waqtarib
Surah Al Alaq Tafseer (Ibn Kathir) Summary
According to Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-‘Alaq is the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibril in the cave of Hira. It teaches that knowledge and literacy are gifts from Allah. The surah condemns arrogance and warns those who oppose truth and prayer, like Abu Jahl. The final verse emphasizes humility through prostration and closeness to Allah.
Video (Recitation)
Lessons from Surah Al-‘Alaq
- The first revelation emphasizes knowledge, reading, and seeking truth.
- Allah created man from a mere clot a reminder of humility.
- Arrogance and self-sufficiency lead to spiritual downfall.
- True honor comes through submission to Allah, not power.
- The Surah ends with the command to prostrate and draw near to Allah.
- Condemns those who prevent others from prayer or worship.
- Shows that revelation is a mercy and guidance for mankind.
- Encourages learning, literacy, and reflection as acts of faith.
FAQs about Surah Al-‘Alaq
It means “The Clot” or “The Embryo”, referring to human creation.
It contains the first five verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
In the Cave of Hira, near Makkah.
It teaches humility, the pursuit of knowledge, and obedience to Allah.
Abu Jahl tried to stop the Prophet from praying at the Kaaba.
It means to humble yourself in prayer and seek closeness to Allah.
19 verses.
“Iqra” meaning “Read”.
Knowledge, writing, and the spread of truth.
Knowledge is sacred, arrogance is condemned, and prostration brings nearness to Allah.
