Quran Quote  : 
Al-Alaq

اقۡرَاۡ بِاسۡمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَ‌ۚ‏ ﴿۱﴾

1. Read (1) in the name (2) of your Lord Who has created.

1. Reason for its Revelation: Just before the advent of Prophethood the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم experienced true dreams for six months. Thereafter he sat in seclusion in the Cave of Hira in the Mountain of Light in total worship of Allah Almighty. On Monday, 17 Ramadaan at the time of early dawn, Hazrat Jibraeel Ameen appeared before the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم and said "Read! The reply was: "I am not from those who can recite." After three such requests and replies, Hazrat Jibraeel (On whom be peace) held the Holy Prophet tightly by his chest and after which the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were recited by the Archangel (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan).

From this emerge a few benefits:

1. In the CHILLAH (seclusion for mystic communion) of the pious there is definite forsaking and relinquishing of the world and the animal desires. Allah Almighty granted the Holy Qur'aan to the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم and the Tauraat to Hazrat

2. Musa (On whom be peace) after they had undertaken seclusions i.e. Chillah. Placing attention on someone by another person, granting him blessings and bounties by embracing him is correct and justifiable, because Hazrat Jibracel (On whom be peace) held the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم tightly to his chest in order to bestow upon him divine bounties.

3. Prior to Prophethood the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم was already an ARIF (possessing intimate knowledge of Allah in Almighty), an ABID (devoted worshipper of Allah Almighty) and a ZAHID (an ascetic).

Therefore the Holy Qur'aan had said: "Guidance to mankind" or "guidance to the God-fearing." It did not say, We are the guide of the Holy Prophet. While going on the journey of Me'raaj, he led the Prophets in Salaah although Salaah was only officially given to him as a gift at the completion of We Me'raaj at the Throne of Allah Almighty.

4. The Holy Prophet was fully acquainted with Hazrat Jibracel prior to this event. Thus, when he appeared before him the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم showed no sign of fear for him nor asked him for his identity. If the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم had no knowledge about Hazrat Jibraeel then he would have had doubts about these verses being Divine words.

This is not just against the lofty status of Prophethood, but against the lofty status of faith as well.

There could be two meanings given to this by verse:

1. Recite the name of your Lord, i.e. recite it. e) Then a few benefits would emerge from it:

1.1. Zikrullah is superior to other acts of worship because Allah Almighty first gave command regarding it.

1.2. For conducting Zikrullah, seeking the permission of the pious is beneficial. Without this permission Zikrullah will not generate the desired effect. Observe, the Holy Prophet had been engaging in Zikrullah prior to the event, but today Allah Almighty through Divine inspiration and out of His passionate desire of Love gave the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم explicit and clear permission for His Zikr, so that in future its effects would become visible, and until the Day of Judgement Muslims would engage in it directly or indirectly without the permission of The the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم Noble Companions would engage in it directly, while the rest of the believers engage in it indirectly. Observe, if electrical wiring is installed in the house, but permission has not been granted for connection, it will not give light The Holy Qur'aan and all other forms of Zikr are the spiritual bulbs and electrical fans, but they will only provide benefit if connection has been obtained from the Holy Prophetصلى الله عليه وآله وسلم

1.3. Like other pious deeds, Zikrullah too is an I act of worship. Just as the patient is made to take some medicines and apply some, and some in the form of advice. To show greenery to the patient and to give him good news are means of providing him with a cure. From it those people - should take a lesson who declare Zikrullah as a useless and unbeneficial activity.

2. O My Beloved! Read in the name of your Lord, and engage in the recitation of the Holy a Qur'aan. From this we learn that before commencing with the recitation of the Holy f Qur'aan first read TA-AWWUZ and TASMIYYA ie. AAOOZOO and BISMILLAH. It is reported in the Hadith that any good deed, which is commenced without reading TASMIYA, is defective. It should be remembered that rainwater is full of blessings through which the crop grows in abundance as well.

Says Allah Almighty: "And We sent down out of heaven - blessed water" (S50:V9). Likewise, there are great blessings in the existence of the saints and s friends of Allah Almighty. Prophet Isa (On whom be peace) had said: "And He made me blessed"(S19:V31). There is a great blessing in the name of Allah Almighty. He says: "Greatly blessed is the name of your Lord, Majestic and Venerable"(S55:V78). It is through blessings of Allah's name that the Ark of Nuh (On whom be peace) safely reached the shore. Because the letter of Hazrat Sulaiman (On whom be peace) to Bilqees commenced with BISMILLAH, Allah e Almighty granted him the control of Yemen.|

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 1
Topic : Read in the name of Allah

 خَلَقَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ‌ۚ‏ ﴿۲﴾

2. Who has created man (3) from the blood clot (4).

3. All the people, or you, O Chief of the universe, who is the object of creation, and of whose creation the Hand of the Creator is proud.

4. In that He created from the sand nourishment, from nourishment blood, from blood sperm and from sperm a piece of meat. From it He structured the human body. Thus, there is no inconsistency in the verses. It should be remembered that the law of creation is being mentioned from which Hazrat Adam (On whom be peace) and Hazrat Isa (On whom be peace) are excluded because the creation reflects the power of Allah Almighty. Or, could mean that blood is being produced from nourishment throughout life.

From blood, flesh is produced which helps in the growth of the body. In this Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Isa (On them be peace) are included. In this verse it is being hinted that just as Allah Almighty, by means of the soul creates a lofty and pure human being from insignificant and impure blood, likewise, O My Beloved! Through your medium I will produce from the present degenerate people of Makkah people of such moral loftiness and purity from whom will be flowing fountains of Shariah and Tareeqat (mystical knowledge).

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 2
Topic : Created man from a clot of congealed blood

اقۡرَاۡ وَرَبُّكَ الۡاَكۡرَمُۙ‏ ﴿۳﴾

3. Read (5), for your Lord is the most Generous (6).

5. This order of reciting it twice is either for emphasis, or that by first recitation was meant recitation in Salaah while by this is meant recitation other than in Salaah. Or, by this was meant recitation for rewards while here it means recitation for the purpose of teaching it to the people. Or, there was recitation from time to time, and here it meant recitation at all times. It should be remembered that our recitation is only for obtaining rewards while the recitation of the Holy Prophet is both for the purpose of obtaining rewards as well as for teaching the Ummah.

In every type of worship there will be this difference. The passengers travel in the ship to reach their destination while the captain's function is to ensure that they reach their destination safely.

6. Who provides the creation with countless bounties without any selfish motive or any distinction and without anything in exchange. Also, whoever gives anything to anyone in the world is also done through the compassionate order of Allah Almighty. In short, He is absolutely bountiful by Himself while others assume this quality through the favour of Allah Almighty.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 3
Topic : Allah Most Generous

الَّذِىۡ عَلَّمَ بِالۡقَلَمِۙ‏ ﴿۴﴾

4.Who teaches writing by pen(7)

7. The meaning of "pen" is to carve or to cut, cut the nails. Since a pen can be cut or carved from all sides, therefore it is a pen. Here pen denotes either all types of pens through which knowledge is written because pen is confined to knowledge. Through it inner thoughts and conditions of the past and present are revealed. Religious and worldly affairs are connected with it. Therefore mention has been made of it. From this we learn that knowledge and pen are great bounties of Allah Almighty. Writing is its specific favour. Pen is the most distinguished object, especially the pen of the Islamic scholars through which religious services can be rendered. To discard such pens and their sawdust obtained from sharpening them, at impure places is forbidden. It should be remembered that first Hazrat Adam (On whom be peace) wrote on leaves, thereafter Hazrat Idris (On whom be peace) wrote on potsherds. Then Hazrat Yusuf (On whom be peace) wrote on paper. The invention of Hazrat Yusuf's (On whom be peace) paper is still to be found (Tafseer Or, Roohul Bayaan).

Or by pen is meant that pen which has recorded the entire events of the world on the Divine Tablet. It means Allah Almighty taught his angels, Prophets and Saints all the knowledge of the past, present and future. This tells us that the Prophets possess more knowledge than the entire creation because Allah Almighty has taught them in omnipresent schools of the knowledge contained in the Divine Tablet.

Only the eminent student is taught the superior and great book in the great school by an eminent teacher. Or, by pen is meant that pen of the angels who are scribes of fate with which he writes the fate of the baby, which is still in the womb of the mother. It means by means of this pen Allah Almighty has acquainted the angels and certain special servants of His with the fate of people. The author of Tafseer Roohul Bayaan has said that the Holy Prophet is the pen of Allah Almighty through which the creation has obtained their knowledge, and whatever has emanated from his blessed lips is permanent and unchangeable.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 4
Topic : Pen

عَلَّمَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡؕ‏ ﴿۵﴾

5. He taught man what he knew not " (8).

It means He taught the first man, Hazrat Adam (On whom be peace) the names of all the things. Or, the very life of humanity, Hazrat Muhammad every branch of knowledge of the present, past and future, in fact every type of knowledge of the Holy Qur'aan, not through any school or teacher, but directly through Him (Tafseer Khazain and Mualimul Tanzil). Or, taught man knowledge entirely, or to some of medicine, to some of science, to some of religion, etc. some through the teacher, some through experience, some through inspiration. Or, He granted His beloved servants knowledge of His Personality and Attributes which continue to reach from person to person whose book is the blessed countenance of the Sheikh (the spiritual guide) and the gaze of the Guide is the means of obtaining it.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 5
Topic : Men Taught

 كَلَّاۤ اِنَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ لَيَطۡغٰٓىۙ‏ ﴿۶﴾

6. Indeed man is rebellious (9).

9. It should be remembered that in the Madinite verses the word KALLA (Yes), did not appear. Also, in the first fifteen Paras there is no KALLA (Tafseer Azizi). Here, the word "man" denotes infidel or negligent person and not the Prophets, the Saints and the pious. The word YATGHA (to transgress) is derived from TAGHA (transgression) meaning to exceed the limits. Just as the water of the sea is beneficial as long as it is within its limits. The rivers and brooks appear from it, fields of crops are irrigated through it. But as soon as it exceeds its limits, it becomes destructive: settlements and villages are sunk, likewise man becomes the noblest creation as long as he is within his own limits but as soon as he exceeds the limits of his humanity, he becomes worse than Shaitaan.

Just as nature has stipulated medical limits i.e. that those who break these limits will become ill or die, in the same manner Allah Almighty has established limits of Shariah: the one who e breaks the limits of beliefs becomes an infidel, all the one who breaks the limits of deeds becomes a sinner and an evil person. Freedom is good, but unrestricted freedom is harmful. Islamic law has stipulated restrictions in matters concerning our life, death, eating, drinking, walking, sleeping, wakeful state, etc.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 6
Topic : Transgressors

اَنۡ رَّاٰهُ اسۡتَغۡنٰىؕ‏ ﴿۷﴾

7.As he considers himself independent (10).

10. It means, that person who regards himself as independent of Allah Almighty, the Prophets, the Saints, the Islamic scholars, indeed becomes rebellious, while those who regard themselves obedient devotees of these eminent personalities will never exceed his limits. Such persons never become rebellious. The actual reason for infidelity and transgression is the dispensation from Prophets and Saints. He who becomes independent from these pious sages becomes independent from Allah Almighty as well.

Otherwise, those infidels regarding whom this verse was revealed were not regarding themselves in matters of conduct independently of Allah Almighty. It should be remembered that in contrast to other creations, man is much more helpless. Animals are in need of food alone while man is in need of food, shelter, clothing, etc. Also, animals only eat green, etc. but in the nourishment of man there are hundreds of differences. The diseases of animals are few and treatment is easy but the diseases of man are numerous and their treatment is difficult. These many needs are there because he should not become rebellious by regarding himself as independent.

From this verse emerge a few benefits:

1. Just as the earth is never independent of the sky, it is always needy of rain and sometimes of sunshine, sometimes of wind and at times of good weather; in the same manner we can never become independent of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. The infidel is dependent for his Kalimah, for our success in the test of the grave, on the Day of Judgement for the intercession; we are totally dependent on the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم

2. To be independent from the fellowmen for the worldly needs is a good thing while remaining dependent on Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is a cause of pride.

3. The act of self-reflection is not just an act of worship but it can be sinful and at times an of infidelity. To reflect on one's sins and on the mercies of Allah Almighty is an act of worship, to ponder over Divine attributes in oneself is an act of mystical experience. To become independent of Allah Almighty after seeing evil in oneself is transgression.

4. Knowledge is superior to wealth. Allah Almighty, here, has described the evil of wealth and superiority of knowledge.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 7
Topic : Man thinks he is self sufficient(while he is not)

اِنَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكَ الرُّجۡعٰىؕ‏ ﴿۸﴾

8.Indeed to your Lord is your return(11)

11. It means for every king and beggar, in every worldly condition, then at their time of death, then in the grave, then on the Day of Judgement, they have to turn to Allah Almighty, and they will have to turn to Him. Then how does he become independent of Allah Almighty? For the wealthy to regard himself independent of Allah Almighty is a great folly. The great Sufis say that some turn to Allah Almighty with joy, some with displeasure. The first turning is a means of obtaining reward.

Turning to Allah Almighty in accordance of Islamic law is an act of worship; otherwise creational (TAKWEENI) turning is affected by the infidels as well. Or, the meaning of the verse could be O independent transgressor, do not become despondent of the Mercy of Allah Almighty. You have an opportunity at all times to turn to your Lord for repentance. So repent. It should be remembered that repentance from infidelity could only be affected prior to the pangs of death, while repentance from sins can be affected at the time of death.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 8
Topic : Return to Allah

اَرَءَيۡتَ الَّذِىۡ يَنۡهٰىؕ‏ ﴿۹﴾

9.Have you seen him who prohibits?

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 9
Topic : Forgiveness

 عَبۡدًا اِذَا صَلّٰىؕ‏ ﴿۱۰﴾

10.(Allah's) devotee when he offers Salaah (12).

12. Reason for its Revelation:

This verse was revealed concerning Abu Jahl. He had stopped the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم from offering Salaah in the Sacred Mosque of Allah and had told his friends that if he ever sees the Holy Prophet performing Salaah here he would crush his neck (Allah forbid). While the Holy Prophet was offering his Salaah there, these reprobates came there with this evil intention but soon fled backward.

When people asked them what had happened, they replied that between them and the Holy Prophet there was a trench of fire and dangerous birds. The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said that had Abu Jahl come near to him the angels would have cut him to shreds. In these verses "he who forbids" refers to Abu Jahl and "bondsman" denotes the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم because through Salaah one expresses his servitude.

the servant is in the service of his master then his opposition is the opposition of the state. It is for this reason that the word "bondsman" is being used here. Thus, this verse expresses the highest greatness of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم and the severest anger at Abu Jahl.

From this, emerge a few issues:

1. This verse was revealed after the command for Salaah; i.e. after the occurrence of Me'raaj that is, thirteen years after the previous verses because it is quite apparent by Salaah is meant the Salaah prescribed by Shariah, which became obligatory on the night of Me'raaj.

2. When the idols had been in the Holy Kabah the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم was performing Salaah at this very building and performed Salaah facing it. Thus, even if forbidden things are found on the mazaars of the Saints, these places would remain sacred.

3. To stop the believers from performing their Salaah is the work of Abu Jahl.

Religious Issue:

It is permissible to stop a person from Salaah under some circumstances: Namaaz offered during undesirable times, Salaah in a usurped place, the husband can stop the wife from offering Tahajjud and Nafl Salaah, the master can stop the servant, and the employer can stop the specific person from offering Nawafil when this would hinder their service. But the jurists have stated that the one who commences to offer Salaah during undesirable times, then don't stop him from his Salaah, but instead explain to him the true issue afterwards in order not to come to be adversely affected by this verse.

4. Stopping a Muslim from entering the th Mosque is like stopping his Salaah. Because Abu Jahl had stopped the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم from entering the Haram Shareef, and not from Salaah itself, yet Allah Almighty had declared this as stopping from Salaah.

Religious Issue:

A few of the people can be stopped from entering the mosque: a child who has not reached the age of intelligence; a mentally disturbed person who has no control over urination and stool; one from whose mouth emanates the odour of raw garlic, onions and tobacco; one who has sores on the body giving off a bad odour; that irreligious person whose coming to the mosque can cause mischief. Observe, after the conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم had stopped the polytheists from performing Tawaaf and Hajj.

Surah Name : Al-Alaq   Surah Number : 96   Ayat Number: 10
Topic : Humble in Prayer

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