Makki · 19 ayat
The Clot
Translation: Saheeh International
Al-Alaq (Arabic: سُورَةُ العَلَقِ, meaning: ‘The Clot’) is surah 96 of the Quran — a Meccan surah with 19 verses. Below you’ll find the complete classical tafsir (commentary) of Imam at-Tabari on every verse, faithfully translated — searchable, offline and free.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ
ٱ
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
خَلَقَ
Created man from a clinging substance.
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ
ٱ
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ
ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِ
Who taught by the pen -
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
عَلَّمَ
Taught man that which he knew not.
كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ
كَلّ
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ
أ
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ
إِ
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ
أَرَءَيْتَ
Have you seen the one who forbids
عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ
عَ
A servant when he prays?
أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ
أَرَءَيْتَ إِ
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِ
Or enjoins righteousness?
أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
أَرَءَيْتَ إِ
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ
أَلَمْ يَعْل
Does he not know that Allah sees?
كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ
كَلَّا لَئ
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -
نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ
نَاصِيَ
A lying, sinning forelock.
فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ
فَلْيَ
Then let him call his associates;
سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ
سَنَ
We will call the angels of Hell.
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَ
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
