Surah Al-Alaq (96) — Ayah 1
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 1)
➊ {اِقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ:} The command to read in the first revelation shows the importance of reading.
➋ When Allah Almighty gave the command to read, He mentioned His blessing of being the Lord and the Creator, because the very first and greatest blessing is creation; all other blessings come after that. If there is no creation, there is nothing at all. The second blessing is being the Lord, that is, nurturing. That is, read in the name of the One who possesses these blessings, by the blessing of His name, you will also become a reader.
➌ {’’ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ ‘‘} (Who created) — the object is omitted: whom did He create? That is, since creation is His work, there is no need to specify whom He created.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
[1] The first 5 verses of this Surah were revealed in the Cave of Hira, and with these very verses, your Prophethood and the revelation began. As is clear from the following hadith. Sayyidah Aisha ؓ narrates that the Prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ began in such a way that his dreams started coming true; whatever he saw in his dreams would appear before him as clearly as the light of dawn. Then solitude became dear to him. He ﷺ used to go to the Cave of Hira and worship there, staying for several nights, not returning home, and taking provisions with him. Then he would come to his home to Sayyidah Khadijah ؓ and take more provisions. Until, in the Cave of Hira, revelation descended upon him. How did the revelation begin? The angel (Jibreel عليه السلام) came to him and said: "Read." He ﷺ replied: "I am unlettered." He ﷺ used to say that then the angel pressed me very hard, then released me and said: "Read." I said: I am unlettered. Then again he pressed me hard, released me, and said: "Read." I said: "I am not learned." The angel pressed me hard for the third time, then released me and said: ﴿اقرأ باسم... لويعلم﴾ Then the Prophet ﷺ returned to his home, and the flesh of his shoulders and neck was trembling (from fear). He came and said to Sayyidah Khadijah ؓ: "Cover me, cover me." Then, when his fear subsided, he ﷺ said to Khadijah ؓ: "Khadijah! I do not know what has happened to me. I feared for my life." Then he ﷺ narrated the entire incident to her. Sayyidah Khadijah ؓ said: "That will never happen. Rather, rejoice! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you."
Your Character Before Prophethood:
Because "You ﷺ maintain good relations with your relatives, always speak the truth, bear the burdens of the weak, provide (necessary) things to the deprived, honor guests, and support the truth in times of hardship." Then Sayyidah Khadijah ؓ took him ﷺ to Waraqah bin Nawfal, who was the cousin of Sayyidah Khadijah رضي اللہ عنہا, meaning her father and Waraqah's father were brothers. In the pre-Islamic era, he had become a Christian (because at that time this was the true religion). He was well-versed in writing Arabic and used to write the translation of the Gospel in Arabic as much as Allah willed. He was very old and had become blind.
Waraqah bin Nawfal Consoles You:
Sayyidah Khadijah ؓ said to him: "Brother, listen to your nephew's words." So the Prophet ﷺ narrated what he had seen. He said: "This is the same Namus (angel) who used to descend upon Musa عليه السلام. Would that I were young at that time! Would that I were alive when your people will expel you (from Makkah)!" The Prophet ﷺ was surprised at the mention of migration and asked: "Will these people expel me?" Waraqah said: "Yes! Because whatever you have brought, whoever brought it before, was always harmed. And if I remain alive till that time, I will fully support you." Then, shortly after this incident, Waraqah passed away. And the revelation also ceased for a while, due to which the Prophet ﷺ used to be grieved. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]
From verse 6 to the end, the fourteen verses were revealed when the Prophet ﷺ, after leaving Dar Arqam, began to perform prayers in the Sacred House (Ka'bah). In these verses, the name of the addressee is not mentioned, but from the attributes described, it is clear that the address is towards Abu Jahl, who used to prevent the Prophet ﷺ from praying in the Ka'bah. And such incidents did not happen just once, but several times.
[2]
Answers to Three Important Questions at the Beginning of Revelation:
From these words, it is clear that the revelation which Jibreel presented to the Prophet ﷺ in the Cave of Hira was in written form. Otherwise, there would have been no need for the Prophet ﷺ to reply, "Ma ana biqari" (I am not learned). If a teacher teaches a child or student orally, there is no need to reply with such a phrase. The beginning of revelation was made with the recognition of Allah Almighty. Who created the universe? How did it come into being? What is the position of man in this universe? These are questions that have been the focus of thoughtful people since the beginning of humanity. The answer to this question was given first, and it was explained that the universe did not come into existence by itself from matter, nor is it the result of a series of coincidences. Rather, every single thing in the universe has been created by Allah Almighty. With His name, that is, by saying Bismillah, you ﷺ should begin to recite this revelation.
