Chapter 96, 19 verses
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created -
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
Created man from a clinging substance.
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
He created man from a clot.
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, -
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Who taught by the pen -
He Who taught (the use of) the pen, -
Who taught (to write) with the pen
Taught man that which he knew not.
Taught man that which he knew not.
Taught man what he knew not.
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
Because he sees himself self - sufficient.
In that he looketh upon himself as self - sufficient.
Because he sees himself free from want.
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
Surely to your Lord is the return.
Have you seen the one who forbids
Seest thou one who forbids -
Have you seen him who forbids
A servant when he prays?
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
A servant when he prays?
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance? -
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Or enjoins righteousness?
Or enjoins Righteousness?
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Does he not know that Allah sees?
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
Does he not know that Allah does see?
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock, -
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
A lying, sinning forelock.
A lying, sinful forelock!
A lying, sinful forehead.
Then let him call his associates;
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
Then let him summon his council,
We will call the angels of Hell.
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
We too would summon the braves of the army.
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).