Iqra
اقرأDefinition
'Read,' or 'Recite.' The first word of the first revelation. Vol 3 opens with this command and its consequences across the rest of the prophetic life.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Iqra.
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"He said, Read. I replied, What shall I read? He then embraced me until I thought I would die. Then he released me and said, Read. I said, What shall I read? Again he embraced me until I thought I would die. Then he released me and said, Read. I said, What shall I read? He embraced me once more until I thought I would die."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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"Then he released me and said, Read. I said, What shall I read? He embraced me once more until I thought I would die. Then he released me and said, Read. I said, What shall I read? I only said this because I wanted him to return to me with something similar to what he had done before. He said, Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
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"Supporting the first interpretation is a narration where the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, while trembling in fear, said, I have never read a book, nor do I know how to read or write. Then Jibril embraced him tightly and said, read. Muhammad, peace be upon him, replied, I do not see anything to read, nor do I read, nor do I write."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 3 — The Sīrah: From the First Revelation to Badr
Appears in
1 book in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Iqra the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.