Read in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created - created man out of a germ - cell! Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught (man) the use of the pen - taught man what he did not know.
With these opening verses of the ninety-sixth sürah - with an allusion to man`s humble biological origin as well as to his consciousness and intellect - began, early in the seventh century of the Christian era, the revelation of the Qur`an to the Prophet Muhammad, destined to continue during the twenty-three years of his ministry and to end, shortly before his death, with verse 281 of the second surah:
And be conscious of the Day on which you shall be brought back unto God, whereupon every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has earned, and none shall be wronged.