Al Alaq

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

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

1 Recite in the name of your Lord who created -

2 Createth man from a clot.

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

2 Created man from a clinging substance.

3 Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,

3 Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -

3 Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -

4 Who teacheth by the pen,

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

4 Who taught by the pen -

5 Teacheth man that which he knew not.

5 Taught man that which he knew not.

5 Taught man that which he knew not.

6 Nay, but verily man is rebellious

6 Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,

6 No! [But] indeed, man transgresses

7 That he thinketh himself independent!

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

7 Because he sees himself self - sufficient.

8 Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.

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

8 Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

9 Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth

9 Seest thou one who forbids -

9 Have you seen the one who forbids

10 A slave when he prayeth ?

10 A votary when he (turns) to pray?

10 A servant when he prays?

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

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

11 Have you seen if he is upon guidance

12 Or enjoineth piety ?

12 Or enjoins Righteousness?

12 Or enjoins righteousness?

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

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

13 Have you seen if he denies and turns away -

14 Is he then unaware that Allah seeth ?

14 Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?

14 Does he not know that Allah sees?

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

15 Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock, -

15 No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -

16 The lying, sinful forelock -

16 A lying, sinful forelock!

16 A lying, sinning forelock.

17 Then let him call upon his henchmen!

17 Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):

17 Then let him call his associates;

18 We will call the guards of hell.

18 We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!

18 We will call the angels of Hell.

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

19 Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!

19 No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].