Al Alaq

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,

1 Read in the name of your Lord Who created.

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).

2 Createth man from a clot.

2 He created man from a clot.

2 He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).

3 Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,

3 Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,

3 Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.

4 Who teacheth by the pen,

4 Who taught (to write) with the pen

4 Who has taught (the writing) by the pen.

5 Teacheth man that which he knew not.

5 Taught man what he knew not.

5 He has taught man that which he knew not.

6 Nay, but verily man is rebellious

6 Nay! man is most surely inordinate,

6 Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed).

7 That he thinketh himself independent!

7 Because he sees himself free from want.

7 Because he considers himself self-sufficient.

8 Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.

8 Surely to your Lord is the return.

8 Surely, unto your Lord is the return.

9 Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth

9 Have you seen him who forbids

9 Have you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents

10 A slave when he prayeth ?

10 A servant when he prays?

10 A slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he prays?

11 Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)

11 Have you considered if he were on the right way,

11 Tell me if he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is on the guidance (of Allah)

12 Or enjoineth piety ?

12 Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?

12 Or enjoins piety!

13 Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward ?

13 Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?

13 Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'an) and turns away?

14 Is he then unaware that Allah seeth ?

14 Does he not know that Allah does see?

14 Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?

15 Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock -

15 Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,

15 Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock -

16 The lying, sinful forelock -

16 A lying, sinful forehead.

16 A lying, sinful forelock!

17 Then let him call upon his henchmen!

17 Then let him summon his council,

17 Then let him call upon his council (of helpers).

18 We will call the guards of hell.

18 We too would summon the braves of the army.

18 We will call out the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

19 Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).

19 Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).

19 Nay! (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!