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 -
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
He created man from a clot.
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
Created man from a clinging substance.
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Who taught (to write) with the pen
He Who taught (the use of) the pen, -
Who taught by the pen -
Taught man what he knew not.
Taught man that which he knew not.
Taught man that which he knew not.
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
Because he sees himself free from want.
In that he looketh upon himself as self - sufficient.
Because he sees himself self - sufficient.
Surely to your Lord is the return.
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
Have you seen him who forbids
Seest thou one who forbids -
Have you seen the one who forbids
A servant when he prays?
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
A servant when he prays?
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance? -
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
Or enjoins Righteousness?
Or enjoins righteousness?
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
Does he not know that Allah does see?
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
Does he not know that Allah sees?
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, -
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -
A lying, sinful forehead.
A lying, sinful forelock!
A lying, sinning forelock.
Then let him summon his council,
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
Then let him call his associates;
We too would summon the braves of the army.
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
We will call the angels of Hell.
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)!
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].