Holy Quran is divine revelation from God Almighty, and is a mercy for Humankind. It contains not only powerful, profound and revolutionary message for humanity centred on god consciousness, justice, and equity but also the secrets of the universe and beyond.
Revealed to the Seal of Prophecy Prophet Muhammad PBUH (not in a physical form in one go but as thoughts and visions over a period of time and which were subsequently noted down), it is a touchstone to ascertain truth from falsehood, good from evil and light from darkness.
Keeping all this in mind, in this article we succinctly delve on the first and last letters, words, verses and chapters of Holy Quran in the manner it was revealed as well as its current compilation.
First and Last Letters of Holy Quran
Per Revelation Order
First: Alif (A)
Alif from the word “Iqra” (means Read) is the first letter of Holy Quran as well as Arabic Alphabet. In fact, “A” is the first word in most languages all over the world.
Last: Alif (A)
Alif from the word “Tauwaba” (means Repentance) is the last letter of Holy Quran in order it was revealed.
Per Compilation Order
First: Ba (B)
If we count Bismillah, then the letter “Ba” from the word “Bismillah” is the first letter. If we don’t count Bismillah then the letter “Alif” from the “Alhamdulillah” (The Praise be to God) from Surah Fatiha again become the first letter.
If we don’t count Surah Fatiha, even then Alif from “Alif-Laam-Meem” of Surah Batra becomes the first letter.
Last: Seen (S)
“Seen” from the word Naas (Humankind) is the last letter from compilation order of Holy Quran
First and Last Words of Holy Quran
Per Revelation Order
First: Iqra (Read)
”Iqra” which means Read from Surah al-Alaq is the first world of Quran if we don’t count the word “Bismillah” (means by/in name of God).
Last: Tauwaba (Repent)
”Tawwaba” which means Repentance from Surah an-Naas is the last word of Holy Quran.
Thus Iqra and Tauba or Read and Repent are the first and last words of Holy Quran per its revelation order.
Per Compilation Order
First: Bismillah/Alhamdulillah (By Name/Praise of God)
Bismillah (By/In the Name of God) from Surah Fatiha if we count the Bismillah and if don’t then “Alhamdulillah” (The Praise be to God) of the same chapter.
Last: Naas (Humankind)
Naas which means Humankind is the last word of Holy Quran in the manner it has been compiled.
Thus, Bismillah and Naas or “In/By the Name of God” and “Humankind” or we can say From God and For Humanity are respectively the first and last words of Holy Quran per its compilation order.
While “Read” and “Repent” are the first and last words of Holy Quran per its revelation order, “God” and “Humanity” are the first and last words of Holy Quran as per its compilation order.
First and Last Verses of Holy Quran
Per Revelation Order
First Verse
“Iqra Bismi Rabbikalladhi Khalaq” which means “Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created” is the first verse of Holy Quran per its revelation order.
Last Verse
“Fasabbih bihamdi rabbik wastaghfirhu innahu kana tauwaba” which means “Then glorify with praises your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance” is the last verse of the Holy Quran per its revelation order.
Per Compilation Order
First Verse
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem which means “By/In the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful” we count this. If we don’t then, “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen” which means “The Praise be to God, the Lord of all”.
Last Verse
“Minal Jinnati wannaas” which means “From among Jinn and Humankind“ is the last verse of the Holy Quran per its compilation order if it’s counted so.
If not (Ibn Masud’s remarks), then “walam yakullahu kufuwan ahad” which means “And there is none comparable to Him” of Surah al-Ikhlas becomes the last verse of the Holy Quran.
First and Last Chapters of Holy Quran
Per Revelation Order
First Chapter
Surah al-Alaq is the first chapter of Holy Quran per its revelation order. Given below is the English translation of Surah al-Alaq.
Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created. Created humans from a clinging clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who taught by the pen, taught humanity what it knew not. Most certainly, one exceeds all bounds, once they think they are self-sufficient (look Aham Brahmasmi concept of Brahmanism). But˺ surely to your Lord is the return ˹of all˺. Have you seen the man who prevents a servant ˹of Ours˺ from praying? What if this ˹servant˺ is ˹rightly˺ guided, or encourages righteousness? What if that ˹man˺ persists in denial and turns away? Does he not know that God sees ˹all˺? But no! If he does not desist, We will certainly drag him by the forelock, a lying, sinful forelock. So let him call his associates. We will call the wardens of Hell. Again, no! Never obey him, Rather, continue to prostrate and draw near ‘to God’.
Last Chapter
Surah an-Nasr (The Victory) is the last chapter of the Holy Quran per its revelation order. given below is its translation.
When comes the help of Allah and Victory. And you see the people embracing Allah’s Way in hoards. Then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance. 110
Per Compilation Order
First Chapter
Surah al-Fatiha if it is counted, otherwise Surah al-Baqra is the first chapter of Holy Quran the way it has been compiled. Given below is the translation of al-Fatiha.
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds. The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You ˹alone˺ we worship and You ˹alone˺ we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path, the Path of those You have blessed—not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.
Last Chapter
Surah an-Naas (Humankind) is the last chapter if it’s counted otherwise Surah al-Ikhlas (Sincerity) is the last chapter of Holy Quran per its compilation order.
Given below is the English translation of an-Naas (114).
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I seek refuge in the Lord of humankind, the Master of humankind, the God of humankind, from the evil of the lurking whisperer, who whispers into the hearts of humankind, from among jinn and humankind. (Wide significance, the lurking whisperer can include all evil thoughts, ideologies and influences that turn away Humanity from God and Humanity by constantly whispering it with parochial, discriminatory and divisive ideas like casteism, tribalism, racism, forefather worship, ancient glorification, worldly pride, etc)
Given below is the English translation of Surah al-Ikhlas (112).
Say, He is Allah—One, Allah—the Sustainer, He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him. (Means He is incomprehensible, cannot be personified or compared with anything or any person so no form of imagery, image or idol can be made of him).