Tafsir of Al-`Alaq 96:2

(Created man); he is the noblest of creatures, containing such wonders of creation and governance that it serves as the clearest evidence for the necessity of the worship intended by [the command of] "recitation," especially since revelation is directed towards him. It is permissible that the meaning of "created man" is intended as a general statement, yet it was not mentioned first, but mentioned second, to magnify his status through ambiguity followed by clarification.

Al-Zamakhshari stated that it is appropriate that "created man" is intended after the command to recite the Quran to alert that the Exalted created him for recitation and understanding, just as the mention of the creation of man following the teaching of the Quran at the beginning of Surah Ar-Rahman is for a similar reason.

His saying, the Exalted, "from 'Alaq" (clinging substance), meaning congealed blood, is to manifest the perfection of His power, the Exalted, by showing the clear contrast between his first and last states. He used the plural form because "man" is intended to refer to the genus (mankind), so it carries the meaning of a plural; thus, He brought what he was created from in a similar way to correspond with it, while also observing the endings of the verses. Perhaps, as has been said, the secret in specifying this stage among all his stages of human development—despite the [early] drop of fluid (nutfa) and dust (turab) being more indicative of the perfection of power because they are further removed from humanity—is [as follows].

In Al-Bahr, it is mentioned that He, the Exalted, did not mention the substance of the origin—meaning Adam, peace be upon him—which is dust, because his creation from that was not established in the minds of the disbelievers. Thus, He mentioned the substance of the branch (fara') and his creation from it, and omitted the substance of the origin of creation to accommodate their understanding; though, for all its worth, this does not eliminate the basis for the question.

It has also been said that this stage was specified to remind him, upon him be blessings and peace, of what occurred regarding the "opening of the breast" (sharh al-sadr) before prophethood, and the extraction of the 'alaq (clot) from it so that he might be perfectly prepared for what would come to him later. It is as if it were said: "The One who created man from the same nature of that which He extracted from your noble breast to prepare you thereby for what is being delivered to you now." Through this, the correspondence between this Surah and the Surah of Al-Sharh before it is strengthened to the utmost degree, especially according to the interpretation of Al-Sharh as "the splitting [of the breast]." Reflect upon this.

Some people have claimed that the intent by "man" is Adam, peace be upon him, and that the meaning is that He created Adam from a substance (tabaq) that clings to the hand—a view which the hand of acceptance does not grasp. Since the creation of man is the first of the blessings flowing upon him from Him, the Exalted, and the oldest of the proofs indicating His existence, His perfection of power, His knowledge, and His wisdom, He described His Essence, the Exalted, with this first, so that he, upon him be blessings and peace, might take it as evidence for His, the Exalted's, enabling him to recite. Then, He, Majestic is His Glory, repeated the command by His saying, the Exalted...