Chapter 96, 19 verses
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, 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).
He created man from a clot.
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.
Who taught (to write) with the pen
He Who taught (the use of) the pen, -
Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.
Taught man what he knew not.
Taught man that which he knew not.
He has taught man that which he knew not.
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,
Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed).
Because he sees himself free from want.
In that he looketh upon himself as self - sufficient.
Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
Surely to your Lord is the return.
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
Surely, unto your Lord is the return.
Have you seen him who forbids
Seest thou one who forbids -
Have you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents
A servant when he prays?
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
A slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he prays?
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance? -
Tell me if he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is on the guidance (of Allah)
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
Or enjoins Righteousness?
Or enjoins piety!
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
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?
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock, -
Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock -
A lying, sinful forehead.
A lying, sinful forelock!
A lying, sinful forelock!
Then let him summon his council,
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).
We too would summon the braves of the army.
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!
Nay! (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!