The first revealed verses of the Qur'an were in Surah

Answer Details

The first revealed verses of the Qur'an were in Surah Al-'Alaq (Chapter 96), also known as Surah Iqra'. The first five verses of this surah were the very first words of the Qur'an to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibril (AS) in the Cave of Hira on Mount Nur, near Makkah, in approximately 610 CE.

These opening verses are: "Recite in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance ('alaq). Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not" (Qur'an 96:1-5). The word 'alaq in the surah's name refers to the clinging clot or clinging substance from which the human being is created, and gives the surah its name.

The event of this first revelation marks the beginning of Prophet Muhammad's prophethood and the start of the 23-year period during which the entire Qur'an was gradually revealed.

The other surahs listed are all short surahs found near the end of the Qur'an: Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108) is about the abundance granted to the Prophet. Al-Falaq (Chapter 113) and Al-Nas (Chapter 114) are the two protective surahs (Al-Mu'awwidhatayn) seeking refuge in Allah. None of these were the first to be revealed.