And the verses of “Read” and “The Cloaked One” make this clear. The two hadiths agree with one another, with the Quran, and with reason’s indication that this is the appropriate sequence. If the first revelation was:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created—
created man from a clinging clot.
Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous,
who taught by the pen—
taught man that which he knew not,”
then the first verse affirms the Creator, exalted is He, as does the second. Both also provide evidence for the possibility of prophethood and for the prophethood of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
As for the first, He said, “Read in the name of your Lord who created,” then said, “Created man from a clinging clot.” He thus mentioned creation in general, then singled out the creation of man, stating that He created him from a clinging clot. This is something known to everyone: all people know that a human being comes into being in his mother’s womb and develops from a clinging clot. These are the descendants of Adam. The word “man” here is a generic noun encompassing all people; it does not include Adam, who was created from clay. The purpose of this verse is to present evidence for the Creator, exalted is He, and reasoning can proceed only from premises