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 Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created -

2 Createth man from a clot.

2 He created man from a clot.

2 Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:

3 Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,

3 Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,

3 Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -

4 Who teacheth by the pen,

4 Who taught (to write) with the pen

4 He Who taught (the use of) the pen, -

5 Teacheth man that which he knew not.

5 Taught man what he knew not.

5 Taught man that which he knew not.

6 Nay, but verily man is rebellious

6 Nay! man is most surely inordinate,

6 Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,

7 That he thinketh himself independent!

7 Because he sees himself free from want.

7 In that he looketh upon himself as self - sufficient.

8 Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.

8 Surely to your Lord is the return.

8 Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).

9 Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth

9 Have you seen him who forbids

9 Seest thou one who forbids -

10 A slave when he prayeth ?

10 A servant when he prays?

10 A votary when he (turns) to pray?

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

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

11 Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance? -

12 Or enjoineth piety ?

12 Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?

12 Or enjoins Righteousness?

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 Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?

14 Is he then unaware that Allah seeth ?

14 Does he not know that Allah does see?

14 Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?

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 Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag 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 (for help) to his council (of comrades):

18 We will call the guards of hell.

18 We too would summon the braves of the army.

18 We will call on the angels of punishment (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, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!