SURAH 96 — Al-‘Alaq — العلق — “The Clot / The Embryonic Clinging Form”

• Revelation Order: 1
• Event Anchor: The First Revelation in the Cave of Ḥirā’ (c. 610 CE)

Explanation:
Al-‘Alaq contains the first revealed verses of the Qur’an, delivered to Muhammad in the Cave of Hirā’ when Jibrīl commanded him to “Read.” This event marks the beginning of prophethood and the dawn of Islam itself. The surah’s themes—creation, divine teaching, human arrogance—echo the shock and magnitude of this inaugural encounter. Later verses may have been revealed at different times, but the surah is permanently anchored to the foundational moment when revelation first broke into Muhammad’s life.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
Recite in the name of your Lord who created –	1	Meccan	6107
Created man from a clinging substance.	2	Meccan	6108
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous –	3	Meccan	6109
Who taught by the pen –	4	Meccan	6110
Taught man that which he knew not.	5	Meccan	6111
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses	6	Meccan	6112
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.	7	Meccan	6113
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.	8	Meccan	6114
Have you seen the one who forbids	9	Meccan	6115
A servant when he prays?	10	Meccan	6116
Have you seen if he is upon guidance	11	Meccan	6117
Or enjoins righteousness?	12	Meccan	6118
Have you seen if he denies and turns away –	13	Meccan	6119
Does he not know that Allah sees?	14	Meccan	6120
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock –	15	Meccan	6121
A lying, sinning forelock.	16	Meccan	6122
Then let him call his associates;	17	Meccan	6123
We will call the angels of Hell.	18	Meccan	6124
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].	19	Meccan	6125