ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ 3
Translations
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Transliteration
Iqra wa rabbuka al-akram
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to 'Read,' emphasizing that his Lord is al-Akram (the Most Generous/Noble), who teaches through the pen and knowledge. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's assurance that He will provide the Prophet with the ability to understand and recite the Qur'an despite his illiteracy, highlighting that true knowledge comes from divine grace. The mention of Allah's generosity alongside the command to read underscores that learning and spiritual elevation are gifts from the Most Merciful.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the first revelation (wahy) to the Prophet Muhammad in the Cave of Hira through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). It follows the initial command to 'Read in the name of your Lord' and establishes the foundational theme of the surah: that knowledge and literacy are sacred divine gifts. The context emphasizes Allah's mercy in initiating revelation despite the Prophet's inability to read or write.
Related Hadiths
Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): 'The first thing with which the Prophet was commanded was the good dream in sleep, and then the love of seclusion was made dear to him, and he used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira' (Sahih Bukhari 3). Additionally, the hadith describing the revelation of Surah Al-'Alaq emphasizes that Gabriel instructed the Prophet to 'Read' three times before revealing the Qur'anic verses (Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true knowledge and intellectual growth are blessings from Allah's generosity, encouraging believers to pursue learning with humility and gratitude, recognizing that all understanding ultimately derives from the Most Generous Lord.