Chapter 96, 19 verses
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم اقرأ باسم ربك الذي خلق
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).
He created man from a clot.
خلق الإنسان من علق
He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
اقرأ وربك الأكرم
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught (to write) with the pen
الذي علم بالقلم
Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.
Taught man what he knew not.
علم الإنسان ما لم يعلم
He has taught man that which he knew not.
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
كلا إن الإنسان ليطغى
Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed).
Because he sees himself free from want.
أن رآه استغنى
Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
Surely to your Lord is the return.
إن إلى ربك الرجعى
Surely, unto your Lord is the return.
Have you seen him who forbids
أرأيت الذي ينهى
Have you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents
A servant when he prays?
عبدا إذا صلى
A slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he prays?
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
أرأيت إن كان على الهدى
Tell me if he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is on the guidance (of Allah)
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
أو أمر بالتقوى
Or enjoins piety!
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
أرأيت إن كذب وتولى
Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'an) and turns away?
Does he not know that Allah does see?
ألم يعلم بأن الله يرى
Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
كلا لئن لم ينته لنسفعا بالناصية
Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock -
A lying, sinful forehead.
ناصية كاذبة خاطئة
A lying, sinful forelock!
Then let him summon his council,
فليدع ناديه
Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).
We too would summon the braves of the army.
سندع الزبانية
We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
كلا لا تطعه واسجد واقترب ۩
Nay! (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!