The first revelation
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
Created man from a clinging substance.
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ
Who taught by the pen -
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Taught man that which he knew not.
The first revelation is Quran 96:1–5, the opening of Surah Al-Alaq. It begins 'Read in the name of your Lord who created,' and it speaks of God teaching by the pen, teaching the human being what they did not know. These five verses are the passage traditionally identified as the first to be sent down.
Arabic and translation, played in order with your chosen reciter.
Common questions
- What was the first verse revealed in the Quran?
- The opening of Surah Al-Alaq, 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' (96:1). The first passage is 96:1–5.
- What does Iqra bismi rabbik mean?
- It means 'Read in the name of your Lord.' It is the first phrase of Quran 96:1.