Al Alaq

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 He created man from a clot.

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

3 Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,

3 Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -

4 Who taught (to write) with the pen

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

5 Taught man what he knew not.

5 Taught man that which he knew not.

6 Nay! man is most surely inordinate,

6 Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,

7 Because he sees himself free from want.

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

8 Surely to your Lord is the return.

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

9 Have you seen him who forbids

9 Seest thou one who forbids -

10 A servant when he prays?

10 A votary when he (turns) to pray?

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

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

12 Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?

12 Or enjoins Righteousness?

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 Does he not know that Allah does see?

14 Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?

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 A lying, sinful forehead.

16 A lying, sinful forelock!

17 Then let him summon his council,

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

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 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)!