Surat Al-`Alaq (The Clot)
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This Surah, revealed at Makkah, has two parts: the first part consists of the very first revelation sent down to the Prophet. The second part, when the Prophet began to perform the prescribed Prayer in the precincts of the Ka'bah and Abu Jahl, a Quraish chief, tried to prevent him from this with threats.Major Issues, Divine Laws and Guidance:• The very first revelation 'Iqra bismi Rabbi kal-ladhi khalaq --- Malam Y'alam' (Read in the name of your Rabb Who created ---what he did not know)."• Read in the name of Allah, Who created man and taught him by the pen.• Those who forbid others from the worship of Allah will be dragged to hell by their forelock.When the Prophet (peace be upon him) experienced this extraordinary event of receiving the first revelation, he returned home to his wife Sayyidah Khadijah, trembling with fear, and said to her: "Cover me, cover me," and he was covered. When terror left him, he said: "O Khadijah, what has happened to me?" Then he narrated to her what happened, and said: "I fear for my life." She took him to her tribe's learned man, Waraqah bin Naufal, who had become a Christian in pre-Islamic days, had transcribed the Gospel in Arabic and Hebrew, and had become blind through old age. Waraqah said: "This is the same Namus (the Angel assigned to bring revelations) which Allah had sent down to Moses (peace be upon him). Would that I were a young man during your Prophethood! Would that I were alive when your tribe would expel you!" The Holy Prophet said: "Will they expel me?" Waraqah said: "Yes, never has it so happened that a person brought what you have brought and was not treated as an enemy. If I live till then I will help you with all the power at my command." But not very long after this, Waraqah died.(For details see the Prophet's life at Makkah at page #24)This narrative is enough to clarify that when Waraqa bin Naufal, who was a Christian, heard the Prophet's experience, he did not regard it as an evil suggestion. This means that even according to him, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was such a sublime person that there was nothing surprising in his being elevated to the rank of Prophethood.The second part of this Surah vv. 6-19 was revealed when the Prophet began to perform his prayer in the Islamic way. The other people were watching it with curiosity, but Abu Jahl in his arrogance and pride threatened the Prophet and forbade him to worship that way in the Ka'bah.
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Before his call to prophethood, Muhammad used to spend time alone in the cave of ¤ir¥’, just outside Makkah, in meditation and reflection, away from the hustle and bustle of Makkah and the misbehavior of some of its inhabitants. He loathed the idols which the Arabs used to worship, and the many bogus religious traditions built around them. However, he did not know any better.One day while in the cave he heard an unfamiliar voice calling him several times to: “Recite…” He inquired as to what he should recite, and was eventually told to:Recite in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clot of blood. Recite! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful, who by the pen taught man what he did not know. (1–5)These were the first words of Qur’anic revelation Muhammad had received.As God was able to create man from a clot of blood, so too could He choose an illiterate man for His most illustrious mission. Muhammad had no ambitions to become a prophet or receive reve- lation, and was genuinely overwhelmed by the experience, but as soon as he realized the nature of his task, he embarked on building the community of Islam, similar to what earlier prophets, such as Abraham and Moses, had done. A fair and objective assessment of Muhammad’s life and his career would reveal that he fulfilled thatsurah 96 • Al-¢Alaqhonorable task to the highest standard. He stands out as a foremost leader and benefactor of the whole human race.Later Muhammad was to receive the verses: “Indeed, man over- reaches himself by thinking that he is Self-Sufficient. But to your Lord shall all things return” (6–8). Poverty can indeed lead to depri- vation and humiliation, but why should wealth cause a person to overreach himself and transgress? Moderation and temperance are far more befitting virtues. Nevertheless, many people, as they grow wealthier, tend to look down on others and become arrogant, obli- vious of their accountability in the hereafter for their deeds in this world.The surah also admonishes the unbelievers who reject God’s rev- elation and denounce those pious servants who wish to worship God. It says: “Have you ever considered him who tries to prevent a servant [of God] from praying? Have you considered whether he is on the right way, or enjoins true piety?” (9–12). Elsewhere in the Qur’an, the unbelievers are asked:“What has brought you into hell?” They will reply, “We never observed the prayers, nor did we ever feed the hungry. We simply joined in with those who argued and disputed and denied the Day of Resurrection.” (al-Muddaththir: 42–46)The affirmation of God’s existence and sovereignty, the observance of the rites of prayer and the institution of zakah to ensure proper distribution of wealth were at the heart of the dispute between Muhammad and his Makkan opponents for about thirteen years. They shall remain central to the ongoing religious debate between Muslims and non-Muslims, with no possibility of any compromise on the part of the Muslims.The surah continues with its strong admonition, saying: “You see how he [the unbeliever] denies the truth and turns away from it! Does he not realize that God is aware of everything?” (13–14). TheA Thematic Commentary on the Qur’andebate between the Muslims, who understand life in terms of rights and responsibilities, and those who view man as his own master, with no accountability or subordination to a higher authority, will continue to focus on these important issues.The surah warns the unbeliever that: “If he does not desist, We will drag him by his forelock, his lying, sinful forelock” (15–16). It is a formidable warning some Makkan chiefs chose to ignore.