بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Al-'Alaq 96:2
The Clot · Juz 30 · Page 597
خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ ٢
Created man from a clinging substance.
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Ma'arif al-Qur'an
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Commentary on 96:2
Verse [ 2] خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ (Created man from a clot of blood.) The previous verse referred to the creation of macrocosm, the large or entire universe in general. In this verse, the phrase is khalaqa'l-insan which refers to the creation of microcosm 'the best, noblest or most honourable creation', Man. If analysed carefully, we notice that man is the epitome of macrocosm or the large universe. He is a small scale representation, analogue, or miniature of the large and complex universe. Another reason why man has been particularly mentioned is that the purpose of Prophet-hood, messenger-hood and revelation of the Qur'an is the implementation of Divine ordinances, injunctions and laws and acting upon them: This is the essential peculiarity of mankind. The word ` alaq, being the plural of 'alaqatun, means 'congealed blood'. The creation of man has passed and passes through various phases. His primordial creation is from the four major elements, that is, earth, water, fire and air. His procreation is from an insignificant and humble state, the sperm which then transforms into congealed blood. This is the primary state of the embryo which happens after the conception. Then it takes the shape of a lump of flesh and then the skeletal structure is created. 'Alaqah is the middle phase in the whole process of creation. The specific mention of ` alaqah covers the initial stage and the final stage of the process of creation.
Page 597
سورة التين
At-Tin
The Fig · Meccan · 8 ayahs
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
95:1
وَٱلتِّينِ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونِ ١
By the fig and the olive1
1 translator’s note
- Referring to the places known for their production, i.e., Damascus and Jerusalem, respectively. It could also refer to the fig and olive trees or to the fruits themselves. ↩
95:2
وَطُورِ سِينِينَ ٢
And [by] Mount Sinai
95:3
وَهَٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدِ ٱلۡأَمِينِ ٣
And [by] this secure city [i.e., Makkah],
95:4
لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ فِيٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٖ ٤
We have certainly created man in the best of stature;1
1 translator’s note
- i.e., upright, symmetrical, and balanced in form and nature. ↩
95:5
ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَٰهُ أَسۡفَلَ سَٰفِلِينَ ٥
Then We return him to the lowest of the low,1
1 translator’s note
- This can refer to the depths of Hell, to decrepit old age or to immorality. ↩
95:6
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرٌ غَيۡرُ مَمۡنُونٖ ٦
Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.
95:7
فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعۡدُ بِٱلدِّينِ ٧
So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?1
1 translator’s note
- More literally, "What makes you lie concerning it?" ↩
95:8
أَلَيۡسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَحۡكَمِ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ ٨
Is not Allāh the most just of judges?
سورة العلق
Al-'Alaq
The Clot · Meccan · 19 ayahs
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
96:1
ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ١
Recite in the name of your Lord who created –
96:2
خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ ٢
Created man from a clinging substance.
96:3
ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ ٣
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
96:4
ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلۡقَلَمِ ٤
Who taught by the pen –
96:5
عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ ٥
Taught man that which he knew not.
96:6
كـَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ ٦
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
96:7
أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ ٧
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
96:8
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجۡعَىٰٓ ٨
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
96:9
أَرَءَيۡتَ ٱلَّذِي يَنۡهَىٰ ٩
Have you seen the one who forbids
96:10
عَبۡدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ ١٠
A servant when he prays?
96:11
أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ ١١
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
96:12
أَوۡ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقۡوَىٰٓ ١٢
Or enjoins righteousness?
96:13
أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ ١٣
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
96:14
أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ ١٤
Does he not know that Allāh sees?
96:15
كـَلَّا لَئِن لَّمۡ يَنتَهِ لَنَسۡفَعَۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ ١٥
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock1 –
1 translator’s note
- It may also mean "slap him" or "blacken his face at the forelock." ↩
96:16
نَاصِيَةٖ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٖ ١٦
A lying, sinning forelock.
96:17
فَلۡيَدۡعُ نَادِيَهُۥ ١٧
Then let him call his associates;
96:18
سَنَدۡعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ ١٨
We will call the angels of Hell.1
1 translator’s note
- Those who push the wicked into the Fire. ↩
96:19
كـَلَّا لَا تُطِعۡهُ وَٱسۡجُدۡۤ وَٱقۡتَرِب۩ ١٩
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].