In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. 'Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-'Alaq.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,” (96:1)
“Createth man from a clot.” (96:2)
Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught by the pen.
“Teacheth man that which he knew not.” (96:5)
Read, O Muhammad, by mentioning your Lord who created.
He created man from a clot of blood.
Read, O Muhammad, and your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught His creation writing and calligraphy.
He taught man calligraphy by the pen, which he did not know before.
Along with other things that He taught him, which he did not know.
“Nay, but verily man is rebellious” (96:6)
He sees himself as self-sufficient.
“Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.” (96:8)
No, it is not fitting for man to be this way.
For his Lord to bestow upon him the favor of perfecting his creation.
And teaching him what he did not know.
And bestowing upon him blessings that have no equal.
Then he disbelieves in his Lord, who did all of that for him.
Indeed, man transgresses all bounds.
He acts arrogantly toward his Lord and disbelieves in Him.
Because he sees himself as self-sufficient.
Indeed, to your Lord, O Muhammad, is the return.
He shall taste of His painful punishment that which he cannot withstand.
Or commands righteousness.
“Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward?” (96:13)
“Is he then unaware that Allah seeth?” (96:14)
It is mentioned that this verse and those following it.
Were revealed regarding Abu Jahl ibn Hisham.
This is because he said, according to what has reached us:
"If I see Muhammad praying, I will trample upon his neck."
And it was mentioned that:
He had forbidden the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from praying.
So Allah said to His Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him:
Have you seen, O Muhammad, Abu Jahl?
Who forbids you from praying at the Maqam (station of Ibrahim).
While he is turning away from the truth and denying it.
Allah, may His praise be exalted, is expressing wonder to His Prophet and the believers.
At the ignorance of Abu Jahl.
And his audacity toward his Lord.
In his forbidding Muhammad from praying to his Lord.
While he is, despite his claims, a denier of the truth.
Have you seen if Muhammad is upon guidance and rectitude.
In his prayer to his Lord.
Or if Muhammad commands this one who forbids prayer.
To fear Allah and dread His punishment.
Have you seen if Abu Jahl denies.
The truth with which Muhammad was sent.
And turns away from it, not believing in it.
Does Abu Jahl not know?
He is ignorant when he forbids Muhammad from worshipping his Lord and praying to Him.
That Allah sees him, so he should fear His power and punishment.
It is not as he says, that he will trample the neck of Muhammad.
He is not capable of that, nor can he reach him.
No, if he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock.
A lying, sinful forelock.
Let him call his associates; We will call the angels of punishment.
No, do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near.
If Abu Jahl does not desist from bothering Muhammad.
We will surely seize him by the front of his head.
We will surely humiliate him and bring him low.
The forelock is described as lying and sinful.
The meaning refers to its owner.
Let Abu Jahl call upon his assembly, his supporters from his clan and his people.
This was said, according to what has reached us:
Because when Abu Jahl forbade the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
From praying at the Maqam.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, rebuked him.
And spoke harshly to him.
So Abu Jahl said:
"On what basis does Muhammad threaten me?"
"When I have the largest assembly in the valley."
So Allah, may His praise be exalted, said:
"If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by his forelock."
Let him call his assembly at that time.
For if he calls his assembly, We will call the angels of punishment.
No, the matter is not as Abu Jahl says.
When he forbids Muhammad from worshipping his Lord and praying to Him.
Do not obey Abu Jahl in what he commands you regarding abandoning prayer to your Lord.
But prostrate to your Lord.
And draw near to Him by seeking His love through obeying Him.
For Abu Jahl will never be able to harm you.
And We will protect you from him.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.