Commentary · Quran
Surah 96: The ClotThe Clot
If you don’t know me, my name is Rachel, and these are my scripture notes on the Quran. The ayat are presented sequentially in English and Arabic, followed by my commentary. Think of it as a living midrash: whenever I learn something new, I add a note. My notes draw from an eclectic range of ancient sources, both Jewish and Gentile. See my about page for more.
I’ve used Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall’s 1930 translation of the Quran’s meanings since it’s both public domain and very pretty.
Surah 96: The Clot, Readسُورَةُ العَلَقِ
1Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth, 2Createth man from a clot. 3Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous, 4Who teacheth by the pen, 5Teacheth man that which he knew not. 6Nay, but verily man is rebellious 7That he thinketh himself independent! 8Lo! unto thy Lord is the return. 9Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth 10A slave when he prayeth? 11Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah) 12Or enjoineth piety? 13Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward? 14Is he then unaware that Allah seeth? 15Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock - 16The lying, sinful forelock - 17Then let him call upon his henchmen! 18We will call the guards of hell. 19Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).
1بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ 2خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ 3ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ 4ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ 5عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ 6كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ 7أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ 8إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ 9أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ 10عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ 11أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ 12أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ 13أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ 14أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ 15كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ 16نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ 17فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ 18سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ 19كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩