Translation and Transliteration of Surah Al-Alaq PDF

Surah Al-Alaq (Arabic: العلق) is the 96th chapter of the Qur’an. The name “Al-Alaq” means “The Clot,” and it has 19 verses.

The first five verses of this Surah are believed to be the first verses given to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by Allah. This marked the start of his Prophethood. When it was revealed, the Angel Jibreel told the Prophet to read the verses, but Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) could not read or write because he was illiterate.

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Table of Contents

Translation and Transliteraion of Surah Al-Alaq

Arabic Text	Transliteration	Translation
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ	*Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem*	*In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:*
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ	*Iqra bismi rabbikal lazee khalaq*	*Read in the name of your Lord who created,*
خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ	*Khalaqal insaana min ‘alaq*	*Created man from a clinging substance.*
اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ	*Iqra wa rabbukal akram*	*Read, and your Lord is the most Generous—*
الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ	*Al lazee ‘allama bil qalam*	*Who taught by the pen—*
عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ	*Al lamal insaana ma lam y’alam*	*Taught man that which he knew not.*
كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَى	*Kallaa innal insaana layatghaa*	*No! But indeed, man transgresses,*
أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَى	*Arr a aahus taghnaa*	*Because he sees himself self-sufficient.*
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَى	*Innna ilaa rabbikar ruj’aa*	*Indeed, to your Lord is the return.*
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَىٰ	*Ara-aital lazee yanhaa*	*Have you seen the one who forbids*
عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰ	*Abdan iza sallaa*	*A servant when he prays?*
أَرَأَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ	*Ara-aita in kana ‘alal hudaa*	*Have you seen if he is upon guidance*
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِالتَّقْوَىٰ	*Au amara bit taqwaa*	*Or enjoins righteousness?*
أَرَأَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ	*Ara-aita in kazzaba wa ta walla*	*Have you seen if he denies and turns away—*
أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَىٰ	*Alam y’alam bi-annal lahaa yaraa*	*Does he not know that Allah sees?*
كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ	*Kalla la illam yantahi la nasfa’am bin nasiyah*	*No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock—*
نَاصِيَةٍ كَاذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ	*Nasiyatin kazi batin khaatiah*	*A lying, sinning forelock.*
فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُ	*Fal yad’u naadiyah*	*Then let him call his associates;*
سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ	*Sanad ‘uz zabaaniyah*	*We will call the angels of Hell.*
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِبْ	*Kalla; la tuti’hu wasjud waqtarib*	*No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].*

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Revelations Surah Al-Alaq

The first five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Cave of Hira. These verses are important because they marked the beginning of his prophethood. The angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet and told him to “read,” even though the Prophet could not read or write. This event is known as the start of the Qur’anic revelation and is a key moment in the history of Islam.

Hadith

Narrated ‘Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers):

The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family.

He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira.

The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “I do not know how to read.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists), created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96.1, 96.2, 96.3)

Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadija replied, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.”

Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza, who, during the pre-Islamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, “Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!” Waraqa asked, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, “This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.”

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked, “Will they drive me out?” Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, “Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.” But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

(Sahih al-Bukhari 3)

Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-’Alaq:

1. Promotes learning: The surah starts by telling us to “read,” showing the importance of learning and gaining knowledge.

2. Reminds of Allah’s power: It tells us that Allah is the Creator and knows everything, even things we can’t see.

3. Protects from pride: Verses 6-7 warn us not to be proud or think we don’t need Allah, teaching us to stay humble.

4. Brings us closer to Allah: The last verse encourages us to bow down and get closer to Allah, making it a good surah to recite during prayer.

5. Helps spiritual growth: Regularly reciting this surah can help us grow spiritually by reminding us to be humble, learn more, and worship Allah.