Surah Alaq is one of the shortest surahs of the Holy Quran. That was revealed to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, at the beginning of the call inside Mecca, especially in the Cave of Hira. In this post we will discuss the virtue of Surah Al Alaq.
Also read: Surah Al Qadr and Surah Al Baynah
The virtue of Surat Alaq
Many things have been said about the virtue of Surah Alaq.
But the best of them is that it is the first thing that was revealed to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, at the beginning of the call and the revelation.
It was revealed to the Messenger, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, while he was in the cave of Hira in retreat, before the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
The beginning of the surah encouraged learning, as it began with Allah Almighty saying, “Read.”
Surah Al Alaq also included many sublime meanings, and explained how man was created and the beginning of his formation.
It also demonstrated the power and greatness of the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted.
The reason for the revelation of Surah Al Alaq
There have been many opinions, and commentators have differed in explaining the reason for the revelation of Surah Alaq.
Some scholars have argued that this Surah was revealed specifically about Abu Jahl.
It prevented the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from spreading the message and carrying out the teachings of Islam and all forms of worship.
This is so that no one will follow him, or so that the teachings of polytheism and ignorance that the Quraysh lived with for many years will not perish.
Therefore, this Surah came as a prohibition to Abu Jahl, and urges Muslims to follow the message and religion of Muhammad.
He forbids them from polytheism and taking idols as a means of purification, for they will not benefit them on the Day of Resurrection.
Rather, their fate will be hell and polytheism, Allah forbid.
As for naming the surah by this name, the scholars of opinion and interpretation have said that it was named Surah Alaq in reference to the occurrence of this name within the surah in his saying, “Man was created from a clot.”
Tafseer of Surah Al Alaq
The interpretation of the first verse includes: He urged the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to read what was sent to him.
What is meant by reading is to spread the call, as it is a metaphor for conveying the message, and his saying came: “In the name of your Lord who created.”
It benefited him from the generality of the call and urged all Muslims to learn and research the message.
As for the second verse, it explains the nature of man’s creation and the stages of his development, starting with the sperm.
It is a piece of blood all the way to a piece of flesh, until it completes its growth and emerges from its mother’s womb on the verge of life.
The third verse urges you to continue reading and researching, which is what is meant by the saying, “And your Lord is the Most Generous.”
That is, the Most Generous, and “Read” was mentioned for the next time, in order to clarify the importance of spreading the call to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
Tafseer of the last verses of Surah Alaq
The fourth verse of Surah Alaq includes the method of teaching writing, that is, He is the one who taught you how to write.
As we all know that the first prophet who wrote with the pen was our master Ismael, peace be upon him.
As for the fifth verse, it means that Allah created man since he was a small sperm.
Then he magnified his creation until he came to life, then he continued to develop and do things that were new to him that he did not know or master on his own.
What is meant by tyranny in the sixth verse is immorality, immorality, and departure from obedience to Allah Almighty, compliance with His commands, and avoidance of sin.
The same applies to Muhammad’s message, as he intended to follow it and believe in it.
Abu Jahl violated all of these orders, and he deviated from the command of Allah Almighty.
The meaning of dispensation that came in the seventh verse is abstinence in general, which is what is meant in this verse.
It is the reluctance and distance from following the message of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, because of the money and prestige he possesses.
The eighth verse of Surah alaq shows that the end and return to Allah is in the end.
No matter how long a person lives, and how long he stays in this worldly life, his fate will ultimately belong to Allah Almighty.
Therefore, he must follow orders in anticipation of meeting Allah Almighty in the afterlife.
Tafseer of some other verses from Surat Al Alaq
In the ninth verse of Surah alaq, he marvels at Abu Jahl’s actions.
Where he urges polytheists and the general public to refrain from the message of Muhammad.
Some rumors were also spread about the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he was crazy and had come up with the message inspired by his writing.
The tenth verse shows part of the suffering of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and what he went through at the hands of the Quraysh.
Not only did any ignorance oppose the Messenger, but it also forbade him from praying and following orders.
It also includes other verses of the surah that I am surprised as well, within verses eleven and twelve.
It included astonishment at Abu Jahl’s actions.
If Abu Jahl adhered to the doctrine of Muhammad and the law of the Islamic religion.
An act that the Messenger also forbids from performing the worship that he commanded.
Verse fourteen includes a clear and explicit warning to Abu Jahl, informing him that Allah is always aware of him.
Perhaps he will come to his senses, stop harming the Messenger, and do what Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came with.
Verse fifteen includes part of the threat that Allah prepared for Abu Jahl at the end, if he did not stop what he had done.
His fate will be hell and a miserable fate.
What is meant by the forelock in the noble verse is the front of the head.
Then he will be dragged to Hell from the front of his head.
Conclusion
Surah Alaq included many concepts, and was revealed as an urging to the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to continue the call, and not to care about Abu Jahl.
What it does is incite the infidels to oppose the call of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The surah also includes a number of virtues, and this is what we have clarified through the virtue of Surah Al Alaq.