Islamic Holy Book Quran · Books · Gifts
Chapter 96·Meccan·19 verses

العَلَقِ

Surah Al-Alaq

The Clot

The first revelation — “Read in the name of your Lord.”

About Surah Al-Alaq

Al-‘Alaq, “The Clot,” contains the very first verses revealed to the Prophet ﷺ, commanding him to read in the name of his Lord who taught by the pen.

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

  1. 1 Al-Alaq 96:1

    بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

    Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq

    Recite in the name of your Lord who created -

  2. 2 Al-Alaq 96:2

    خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

    Khalaqal insaana min 'alaq

    Created man from a clinging substance.

  3. 3 Al-Alaq 96:3

    ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ

    Iqra wa rab bukal akram

    Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -

  4. 4 Al-Alaq 96:4

    ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ

    Al lazee 'allama bil qalam

    Who taught by the pen -

  5. 5 Al-Alaq 96:5

    عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

    'Al lamal insaana ma lam y'alam

    Taught man that which he knew not.

  6. 6 Al-Alaq 96:6

    كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ

    Kallaa innal insaana layatghaa

    No! [But] indeed, man transgresses

  7. 7 Al-Alaq 96:7

    أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ

    Ar-ra aahus taghnaa

    Because he sees himself self-sufficient.

  8. 8 Al-Alaq 96:8

    إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ

    Innna ilaa rabbikar ruj'aa

    Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

  9. 9 Al-Alaq 96:9

    أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ

    Ara-aital lazee yanhaa

    Have you seen the one who forbids

  10. 10 Al-Alaq 96:10

    عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ

    'Abdan iza sallaa

    A servant when he prays?

  11. 11 Al-Alaq 96:11

    أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

    Ara-aita in kana 'alal hudaa

    Have you seen if he is upon guidance

  12. 12 Al-Alaq 96:12

    أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ

    Au amara bit taqwaa

    Or enjoins righteousness?

  13. 13 Al-Alaq 96:13

    أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

    Ara-aita in kaz zaba wa ta walla

    Have you seen if he denies and turns away -

  14. 14 Al-Alaq 96:14

    أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ

    Alam y'alam bi-an nal lahaa yaraa

    Does he not know that Allah sees?

  15. 15 Al-Alaq 96:15

    كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ

    Kalla la illam yantahi la nasfa'am bin nasiyah

    No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -

  16. 16 Al-Alaq 96:16

    نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ

    Nasiyatin kazi batin khaatiyah

    A lying, sinning forelock.

  17. 17 Al-Alaq 96:17

    فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ

    Fal yad'u naadiyah

    Then let him call his associates;

  18. 18 Al-Alaq 96:18

    سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ

    Sanad 'uz zabaaniyah

    We will call the angels of Hell.

  19. 19 Al-Alaq 96:19

    كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩

    Kalla; la tuti'hu wasjud waqtarib

    No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].

Surah Al-Alaq — frequently asked questions

What does Surah Al-Alaq mean?

“Al-Alaq” translates to “The Clot.” It is the 96th surah (chapter) of the Holy Quran.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Alaq?

Surah Al-Alaq has 19 verses (ayahs).

Is Surah Al-Alaq Meccan or Medinan?

It is a Makkah (Meccan) surah — revealed before the Prophet’s ﷺ migration (Hijrah) to Madinah.

Can I read Surah Al-Alaq in English online?

Yes. You can read Surah Al-Alaq free on this page in Arabic with a clear English translation and transliteration, so you can both understand the meaning and learn to recite it.

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