96: The Clot
These 19 Meccan verses form what
is traditionally considered to be one of the
very earliest portions of the Qur'an
that was revealed to Muhammad. They are
thrilling words through which God spoke directly to mankind. It is calculated
that
this incident occurred about the year 610 of the Christian era or over
a decade
before the Hijra or eventual Transfer to Madina.
This chapter was revealed before The Pen 68 with which it is connected
in
mood and message, and after The Man Wearing a Cloak 74 (which SEE).
These chapters recognize the fact that the art of reading or literacy forms
the
basis for civilized life and culture. The Muslims' respect for it helped
to build up
the Islamic commonwealth later on which held off the West European middle
ages
from much of Africa and Asia.
The latter half of this chapter shows a subtle though quite apparent change
in
mood which is directed against the Meccans' opposition to the Prophet's
public
prayers.