The Embryo (Al-Alaq)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
(Muhammad), read in the name of your Lord who created (all things). 1 created man out of a germ-cell 2 Read, and your Lord only is the Most Beneficent, 3 Who taught by the pen - 4 taught man what he did not know! 5 Yes indeed, man is surely rebellious. 6 for he thinks himself self-sufficient. 7 for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return. 8 What thinkest thou? He who forbids 9 A bondman when he offers the prayer? 10 What will happen if the praying person is rightly guided 11 Or enjoins piety? 12 What do you think? Have you seen if he belies and turns away, 13 Did he not realise that Allah is watching? 14 Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock, 15 his lying, sinful forelock. 16 Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades): 17 We shall call on the guards of Hell. 18 No indeed; do thou not obey him, and bow thyself, and draw nigh. ۩ 19
True are the words of Allah the Almighty.
End of Surah: The Embryo (Al-Alaq). Sent down in Mecca. First revelation of the Quran before
The Pen (Al-Qalam)