The Embryo (Al-Alaq)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Recite in the name of your Lord Who created, 1 created man out of a germ-cell 2 Read, and your Lord only is the Most Beneficent, 3 The One Who taught to write with the pen. 4 taught man what he did not know! 5 Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening 6 Because he sees himself self-sufficient. 7 Surely to your Lord is the return. 8 Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth 9 A votary when he turns to his devotions? 10 Have you thought, if he had been on guidance 11 or is concerned with God-consciousness? 12 What is your opinion – if he denies and turns away, how wretched will be his state! 13 Knoweth he not that Allah doth see? 14 Let him know that if he does not desist, We shall certainly drag him by his forelocks, 15 A lying, sinful forelock! 16 So let him summon his helpmates; 17 [the while] We shall summon the forces of heavenly chastisement! 18 Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah). ۩ 19
True are the words of God the Almighty.
End of Surah: The Embryo (Al-Alaq). Sent down in Mecca. First revelation of the Quran before
The Pen (Al-Qalam)