The opening Qur’anic verses of Surah Alaq were the first verses revealed by Allah to His beloved Prophet Peace be upon him. In them Allah says, “Read! (O Muhammad) in the name of your Lord, who has created.” Further, to emphasise, He says, “Has created Insaan (the human being).” In the verses that follow Allah mentions the word ‘iqra’ (read) over and over again.

In the verses with which Allah commenced revelation, He mentions qir‘aat (recitation), taleem (learning), and ta‘allum (teaching). Thus emphasis is being placed upon establishing Maktabs and other institutions of ilm. He ends the first revelation with “Has taught man that which he knew not”, thereby stressing yet again the importance of knowledge.