The Embryo (Al-Alaq)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created 1 created man out of a germ-cell 2 Read, for your Lord is most beneficent, 3 who taught by the Pen, 4 Hath taught man that which he knew not. 5 Despite this, the human being still tends to rebel 6 That he thinketh himself independent! 7 Indeed towards your Lord only is the return. 8 Seest thou one who forbids- 9 A servant when he prays? 10 Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?- 11 Or enjoined guarding (against evil)? 12 Do you see how he has denied the truth and turned away from it? 13 Does he not know that God observes all things? 14 And yet indeed if he does not desist We shall drag him by the forelock, 15 a lying, sinful forelock. 16 and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom, 17 We shall call the guards of Hell. 18 Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)! ۩ 19
True are the words of Allah the Almighty.
End of Surah: The Embryo (Al-Alaq). Sent down in Mecca. First revelation of the Quran before
The Pen (Al-Qalam)