Chapter 96, 19 verses
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,
He created man from a clot.
Created man from a clinging substance.
Createth man from a clot.
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,
Who taught (to write) with the pen
Who taught by the pen -
Who teacheth by the pen,
Taught man what he knew not.
Taught man that which he knew not.
Teacheth man that which he knew not.
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
Nay, but verily man is rebellious
Because he sees himself free from want.
Because he sees himself self - sufficient.
That he thinketh himself independent!
Surely to your Lord is the return.
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.
Have you seen him who forbids
Have you seen the one who forbids
Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth
A servant when he prays?
A servant when he prays?
A slave when he prayeth ?
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
Or enjoins righteousness?
Or enjoineth piety ?
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward ?
Does he not know that Allah does see?
Does he not know that Allah sees?
Is he then unaware that Allah seeth ?
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -
Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock -
A lying, sinful forehead.
A lying, sinning forelock.
The lying, sinful forelock -
Then let him summon his council,
Then let him call his associates;
Then let him call upon his henchmen!
We too would summon the braves of the army.
We will call the angels of Hell.
We will call the guards of hell.
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).