Chapter 96, 19 verses
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
He created man from a clot.
He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.
اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ
Who taught (to write) with the pen
Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.
الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ
Taught man what he knew not.
He has taught man that which he knew not.
عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed).
كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَىٰ
Because he sees himself free from want.
Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَىٰ
Surely to your Lord is the return.
Surely, unto your Lord is the return.
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجْعَىٰ
Have you seen him who forbids
Have you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents
أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَىٰ
A servant when he prays?
A slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he prays?
عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰ
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Tell me if he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is on the guidance (of Allah)
أَرَأَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
Or enjoins piety!
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِالتَّقْوَىٰ
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'an) and turns away?
أَرَأَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
Does he not know that Allah does see?
Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?
أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَىٰ
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock -
كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ
A lying, sinful forehead.
A lying, sinful forelock!
نَاصِيَةٍ كَاذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ
Then let him summon his council,
Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).
فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُ
We too would summon the braves of the army.
We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!
سَنَدْعُ الزَّبَانِيَةَ
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
Nay! (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب ۩