"Read in the Name of Your Lord Who Created" — The First Verses Revealed
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Level: basic
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ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ
— العلق 1
Verse: "Read in the name of your Lord who created." (96:1)
Occasion (Agreed upon): Agreed upon from Aisha: the Prophet ﷺ was in cave Hira when Jibreel came and said "Read!" He said "I cannot read." He embraced him and said "Read!" — three times until he revealed: "Read in the name of your Lord who created." The Prophet returned trembling, told Khadijah who wrapped him and took him to Waraqa ibn Nawfal.
Significance: The first verse revealed from the Quran — and it was a command to read and knowledge.
Source: Sahih Bukhari & Muslim; Lubab Al-Nuqul
Question: What was the first word revealed from the Quran and what does it signify?
Answer: "Read" — the first command of revelation was to read and learn. Significance: Islam is a religion of knowledge, not ignorance.