About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

 Read (the Quran)! In the Name of your Creator who has created (everything).

 He has created man from a clot (of blood) or something that clings, a leech-like substance.

Read (the Quran)! And your Creator is the Most Bountiful. (He grants what He likes.)

(For example) He taught (writing) by the pen.

       He taught man (by means) that which he did not know. [Above five Verses were the first revelations to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the cave Hira].

       Not at all (i.e. the thinking of the disbelievers is not correct). Indeed, (the disbelieving) man does transgress (by his evil deeds).

Since he considers himself self-sufficient.

Indeed, you have to return to your Creator. [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]

Have you seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents?

       A slave [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] when he prays? (It is a very bad and strange thing).

Have you seen if he [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] is on the gui-dance (of Allah)?

Or commands (others) to observe piety (which is beneficial for others)?

Have you seen if he (Abu Jahl) denies [Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] and turns away (from the Truth)?

Does he (Abu Jahl) not know that Allah sees (his transgression)?

Not at all. In fact if he (Abu Jahl) does not stop (hindering noble activity of praying), We will drag him by the forelock (or forehead).

The forelock which is of a liar and sinful person.

Then let him call upon the members of his assembly (for help).

We will call out the angels of punishment (to disgrace him). Musnad Ahmad 1/329

       Not at all (i.e. the thinking of the disbelievers is not correct.) [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Do not obey him (i.e. Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near (to Allah).