Surah Al-Alaq
Paper-cut picture from Surah Al-Alaq: a wooden writing desk by a sunny window, an old reed pen beside a small inkwell, a stack of closed books and a blank open notebook
Al-Alaq 96:3–5

He taught by the pen

ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ٣ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ٤ عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ٥

Surah mind map
The meaning, simply

Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, full of giving and goodness. He taught people to write with the pen, and taught man what he did not know.

Meaning from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, simplified for children. Reviewed by Sherif Alkady, 17 October 2026.

Words to understand
ٱلْأَكْرَمُ
the Most Generous
بِٱلْقَلَمِ
by the pen
Think with me

What is the best thing you learned this year? And who first taught us everything?

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