Overview - Surah 96: al-`Alaq (The Clinging Substance)
The first five Ayat are among the first that were revealed to the Prophet (saw), aged forty, in the cave of Hira, Makkah. Then the rest of the Surah was revealed when the message was presented to the people of Makkah and they began threatening the Prophet. The Surah speaks about the humble beginning of human beings, but the high position that they can receive if they follow the message of Allah.
The Surah takes its name after the second Ayat, خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ "Created man from a clinging substance." [96:2].
There are 19 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 19 |
| Total Words * | 72 |
| Root Words * | 36 |
| Unique Root Words * | 2 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 1st (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 1st-3rd year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam ,Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam ,Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda.,Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia,2nd Migration to Abyssinia,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
Angels, Hell, Humankind (creation of) , Knowledge, Knowledge (literacy) , Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Literacy, Pen, Prayer, Prayer (prostration)
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Manuscripts / Inscriptions
16th Century
14th/15th century CE
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- Surah al-Alaq [96] was the first revelation which occured on the 'Night of Power and Decree' in Ramadhan. Surah al-Qadr [97] is about the 'Night of Power.'
- Aishah [ra] said, "The first [revelation] to descend was Iqra......" [Hakim]
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 2* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ر أ ي | 5 | 328 |
| 2. | ع ل م | 4 | 854 |
| 3. | ر ب ب | 3 | 980 |
| 4. | ٱلَّذِى | 3 | 1464 |
| 5. | أ ن س | 3 | 97 |
| 6. | ق ر أ | 2 | 88 |
| 7. | خ ل ق | 2 | 261 |
| 8. | ن ه ي | 2 | 56 |
| 9. | ك ذ ب | 2 | 282 |
| 10. | ن ص ي | 2 | 4 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ر أ ي | 5 | 328 |
| ع ل م | 4 | 854 |
| ر ب ب | 3 | 980 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 3 | 1464 |
| أ ن س | 3 | 97 |
| ق ر أ | 2 | 88 |
| خ ل ق | 2 | 261 |
| ن ه ي | 2 | 56 |
| ك ذ ب | 2 | 282 |
| ن ص ي | 2 | 4 |
This Surah has two parts: the first part consists of v. 1-5, and the second of v. 6-19. About the first part, a great majority of the Islamic scholars are in agreement that it forms the very first Revelation to be sent down to the Prophet. In this regard, the hadith from the Prophets wife (A’isha), which Imam Ahmad, Bukhari, Muslim, and other traditionists have related with several chains of authorities, is one of the most authentic hadith on the subject. In it A’isha has narrated the full story of the beginning of revelation as she herself heard it from the Messenger of God. Besides, Ibn Abbas, Abu Musa al-Ashari and a group of the Companions also are reported to have stated that these were the very first verses of the Qur’an to be revealed to the Prophet. The second part was sent down afterwards when the Prophet began to perform the prescribed Prayer in the precincts of the Ka’bah and his arch enemy (Abu Jahl) tried to prevent him from this with threats.
- The very first revelation 'Iqra bismi Rabbi kal-ladhi khalaq-Ma lam y'alam' (Read in the name of your Lord Who created what he did not know)."
- Read in the name of Allah, Who created man and taught him by the pen.
- Those who forbid others from the worship of Allah will be dragged to hell by their forelock.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 9 - 19) The third section of this s9ort surah tackles a particularly appalling form of tyranny. Its description in the inimitable Qur’anic style fills us with wonder and dismay that it should take place at all. “Look at the one who tries to prevent a servant of God from praying! Think: does he follow the right guidance and enjoin [others to be] Godfearing? Think: if he denies the truth and turns his back, does he not realize that God sees all?” (Verses 9-14) Our dismay is enhanced by the manner of expression which takes the form of address and conversation, using short sentences that follow in rapid succession. The effect can hardly ever be produced by ordinary written language. ‘Look at’ this ghastly business actually taking place! “Look at the one who tries to prevent a servant of God from praying.” (Verses 9-10) Have you seen this repulsive sight? Have you realized how repugnance is doubled by the fact that the person being prevented from his prayers is in fact following divine guidance. He merely enjoins righteousness and piety, yet he is discouraged and told to desist! Yet the transgressor outdoes himself by taking a still more abhorrent stand, “Think: if he denies the truth and turns his back.” (Verse 13) The closing note is one of implicit warning, similar to that of the previous paragraph, “Does he not realize that God sees all?” (Verse 14) He sees everything: the denial of truth, the turning away from it, as well as the prevention of believers from offering their prayers. Since God sees all, something must be done on the basis of what He sees. This is the implicit warning.Thus, we have a scene of tyranny trying to suppress the call of faith and obedience to God. This is followed immediately by a stern warning stated explicitly this time: “Nay, if he does not desist, We will most certainly drag him by his forelock, his lying, sinful forelock. Then let him call his henchmen. We will call the guards of hell.” (Verses 15-18) The Arabic term, lanasfa`n, used for ‘drag’ has a marked violence about it. The dragging is by the forelock, the part of the head raised high by every conceited tyrant. It undoubtedly deserves to be hit violently: “His lying, sinful forelock!” The tyrant may think of calling his clan and supporters to come to his aid: “Then let him call his henchmen.” On the other side, “We will call the guards of hell,” and they are powerful and ruthless. The outcome of the battle is never in doubt. In the light of this frightening destiny for the unbelievers, the surah concludes with an instruction to God’s obedient servants to persevere and follow the path of faith: “No, pay no heed to him, but prostrate yourself and draw closer to God.” (Verse 19) Do not obey this tyrant who tries to stop you from offering your devotion and conveying your message. Prostrate yourself before your Lord and bring yourself closer to Him through worship and obedience. As for the tyrant, leave him to the guards of hell who are sure to mete out to him what he deserves. Some authentic reports say that the surah, with the exception of the first part, refers to Abu Jahl who once passed by the Prophet while he was praying at Maqam Ibrahim, close to the Ka`bah. He turned to him and said, ‘Muhammad, have I not ordered you to stop these practices?’ He also added some warning to the Prophet who gave him a stern reply. This was possibly the time when the Prophet seized Abu Jahl by the collar and warned him of his impending doom. Abu Jahl said, ‘Muhammad, what do you threaten me with? I am sure I have the largest following in this valley.’ Hence, the revelation, ‘Let him call his henchmen.’ Ibn `Abbas, the Prophet’s learned Companion, said in comment: “Had he called them, the angels charged with meting out punishment would have taken him away there and then.” The surah, however, is general in its significance. It refers to every obedient believer calling men to follow the path of God and to every tyrant who forbids prayer, threatens the believers and acts arrogantly. The concluding divine instruction is therefore: “No, pay no heed to him, but prostrate yourself and draw closer to God.” (Verse 19) |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Scientific References
Frontal Lobe of the Brain
كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ نَاصِيَةٍ كَاذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ "No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock - A lying, sinning forelock." (96:15-16)
Shaykh Zindani writes, “The holy Qur’ān describes the front of the head being lying and sinful. God says, “a lying sinful nasiyah (front of the head).” Since the front of the head does not speak, how can it be described as being lying? It does not commit sins. How is it then said to be sinful?
Professor Muhammad Yusuf Sukkar dispelled my perplexity while he was talking to me about the function of the brain. He said: “The function of the portion of the brain that lies in the front of the human head is to control the human behaviour.” I said: “I have found it.” He said: “what have you found?” I said: “The interpretation of the saying of God, "a lying sinful nasiyah.” He said: “Let me consult my books and references.”
After having done so, he, confirming what he had said, added: “When a person intends to tell a lie, the decision is made in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is the front of the head. If he wants to commit a sin, the decision is made there, too.” Then I discussed the subject with a number of specialized scholars, among whom was Keith L. Moore, who stated that the front of the head is responsible for judging and for directing human behaviour. The working organs of the body (e.g. the limbs) are but tools to carry out the decision made in the front of the head.
The anatomical structure of the upper region of the forehead shows that it consists of one of the bones of the skull, called the fronted bone, which protects one of the lobes of the brain called the frontal lobe, which contains several neural centers in various locations and with various functions.The prefrontal cortex constitutes the bulk of the frontal lobe of the brain, and its function is involved in the making of one’s personality. It is also considered as a superior center among the centers of concentration, thinking and memory. It plays a significant role in the person’s emotion and it is somehow concerned with initiative and discrimination.
The cortex is situated directly behind the forehead; it is hidden deep in the front of the head. Thus the prefrontal cortex directs some of the human behaviour that reflects one’s personality, with respect to being truthful, lying, right, wrong…etc. It also distinguishes between these virtues and vices and urges one to take the initiative whether with good or evil intent. In a joint research on the scientific miracle of “nasiyah” by Keith L. Moore and me, presented in an international conference held in Cairo in 1980, Keith L. Moore did not talk about the function of the frontal lobe of the human brain only, but talked about the function of the ‘nasiyah’ [frontal lobes] in the brains of various animals. Demonstrating pictures of the fronted lobes of a number of animals, he said: “The comparative anatomical study of human and animal brains shows that the nasiyah has the same function: It is the center of control and guidance in both man and animals that have brains.”
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUs6tNhc8Q&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=96Surah 96. Al-'alaq - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNvDNAiqdWs&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=96
- Surah 96. Al-`Alaq Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4835Q_BLZ2o&index=96&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 96. Al-`Alaq Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FUs6tNhc8Q&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=96
- Surah 96. Al-`Alaq Idris Akbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpDZCKpY-yM&list=PLZH6sOiOuaDZFls6OaNna68fGgDtm-tOO&index=66
- Surah 96. Al-`Alaq Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koaNpIeyqZw&index=96&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
