Read in the Name of Your Lord

We all know that the ayats which are revealed first are the first five ayats of Surat al-Alaq and the first order is "iqra!", that is "read!".

Before studying this sura below, let us first pay attention to the stage before the first revelation. Before His prophethood, the Messenger of Allah was spending certain periods of time in a small mountain cave on a regular basis, thinking seriously...far away from daily concerns, from struggles of life, and from other people. These days of intense thinking were transformed at later periods to itiqaf (spending some time in a mosque, praying and staying away from daily concerns and struggles). Surely, this practice is very useful and valuable for an individual to recover and to regain the purpose of his life.

The first ayats of Surat al-Alak:
iqra bismi rabbikallazee khalaq
96:1.Read in the Name of your Lord Who has created

First "read..." This "reading" can be interpreted as reading the universe, by looking at the creation of Allah; it can also be interpreted as reading Quran.

Then "read in the Name of your Lord..." The word Rab comes from the same root as the words murabbiya (who cares for and supervises) and tarbiya (to train, to educate). The concept of "Rububiyyah" contains a gradual improvement and perfection; Allah protects everything in the universe; He cherishes, He sustains, and He transforms everything constantly.

And then "read in the Name of your Lord Who has created".
Here the emphasis on creation is very meaningful.

Because a disbeliever - even if he denies the attributes of Allah such as rububiyyah (to protect, to cherish, and to sustain) and wahdaniyyah (oneness) - can definitely not say too much to deny the very fact of "creation"...because creation is such a clear miracle that nobody can simply deny it.

khalaqal-insaana min 'alaq
96:2. He has created man from a clot

Man is of great importance; he can read the book of universe and he is the collocutor of his Creator. But at the beginning, he was only a cell. Yes, he was nothing but a single cell. So then, Allah immediately invites the man to know and to remember his origin. He reminds man humbleness. Since those who are humble are to be saved. Arrogance, on the other hand, destroys man.

iqra warabbukal-akram
96:3. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous

Indeed, Allah is Akram, the Most Generous One. When He gives, He gives expecting no compensation. He is Almighty Allah, the Most Generous One.

After inciting man to read, it is mentioned that Allah is Akram; and this draws our attention even more.

Surat al-Alak continues:
allazee 'allama bil-qalam
96:4. He Who has taught (writing) by the pen

Even the emphasis of knowledge in Islam alone, is a sufficient evidence that Quran is the Word of Allah. Because until that time, there had never been an understanding like this within the Arab community. And indeed, recording, preserving, and transferring all kinds of knowledge is only through writing: "He Who has taught (writing) by the pen".

Now that we have learned that our Lord is The Most Gracious and that He has taught man (writing) by the pen, is it possible not to seek knowledge?

Looking at these ayats from a different perspective, we can also infer that the most precious bounty for a man is the knowledge of Truth; that is a soul in most sincere belief and trust. A soul which attains the purpose of creation; which achieves the Paradise, and even the Beauty and the Love of Allah.

Several commentators of Quran mention that teaching by the pen refers to prophethood.

'allamal-insaana maa lam ya'lam
96:5. He has taught man what he knew not

We can find the answers to some of our questions by reasoning and using our five senses. Like the questions "How?" or "What?". But it is only the revelation which gives the answer of the question "Why?".

After the first five ayats, we face two majestic ayats:
kallaa innal-insaana layatgaa
96:6-7. Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds
an raaahustagnaa
because he considers himself self-sufficient

Whatever a man possesses is given by Allah...and yet, he just forgets his origin and he considers himself self-sufficient. He disobeys, becomes arrogant, and transgresses the bounds.

Whereas:
inna ilaa rabbikar-ruj'aa
96:8. Surely unto your Lord is the return

The ayats continue:
araaytallazee yanhaa
'abdan izaa sallaa
araayta in kaana 'alal-hudaa
aw amara bit-taqwaa
96:9-12. Have you seen him who prevents
a servant when he prays?
Tell me, if he (servant who prays) is on the guidance
or enjoins righteousness.

We face a new concept here: Taqwaa (righteousness). Taqwaa may be defined in short as living the life according to the orders of Allah.

Let's continue:
96:13-16. Tell me if he (the disbeliever) denies (the truth) and turns away?
Knows he not that Allah does see?
Nay! If he ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock
A lying, sinful forelock!

Whoever then counts on his family, his friends, or his community...so in vain!
96:17-18. Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers)
We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

The sura ends with one of the magnificent ayats of prostration:
96:19. Nay! Do not obey him (whoever prevents you from prayer). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!

Two orders to man: Prostrate and draw near to Allah!
Two graces to man: Prostrate and draw near to Allah!

The most precious two distinctions that a man can attain...

How lovely...