Verses by topic

Quran verses about knowledge

The Quran elevates knowledge, begins revelation with a command to read, and distinguishes those who know from those who do not. These verses encourage study that leads to humility before God.

These selections are starting points for reflection. Always read verses in their full context.

Selected verses

  1. Al-Alaq 96:1Open in reader

    بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

    Recite in the name of your Lord who created -

  2. Al-Alaq 96:2Open in reader

    خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

    Created man from a clinging substance.

  3. Al-Alaq 96:3Open in reader

    ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ

    Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -

  4. Al-Alaq 96:4Open in reader

    ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ

    Who taught by the pen -

  5. Al-Alaq 96:5Open in reader

    عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

    Taught man that which he knew not.

  6. Taa-Haa 20:114Open in reader

    فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا

    So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."

  7. Az-Zumar 39:9Open in reader

    أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

    Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

  8. Al-Mujaadila 58:11Open in reader

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا۟ فِى ٱلْمَجَٰلِسِ فَٱفْسَحُوا۟ يَفْسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُوا۟ فَٱنشُزُوا۟ يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَٰتٍۢ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ

    O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.

Common questions

What was the first revealed command related to knowledge?
Surah Al-Alaq 96:1–5 opens with “Read,” tying learning to creation and to God who taught by the pen.

Related topics

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