This sūrah of 19 verses derives its name from the word al-’alaq (clinging clot – the fertilized female ovum or zygote) that occurs in the second verse. Its initial five verses are the first part of the Qur’ān that was revealed to God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, while he was secluded in the Cave of Hirah on Mount Nūr. The Archangel Gabriel came and told him to read. When the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, answered that he did not know how to read, the angel squeezed him towards himself until the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, had almost lost all his strength. Then he repeated the order, “Read!” In fact, this was repeated three times, and after the third time, the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, asked: “What will I read?” Then the angel conveyed the initial five verses of the sūrah. This sūrah implies the importance of knowledge, reading, and writing, and warns that people go astray by regarding themselves as being self-sufficient. It also threatens against denying God’s Message.