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