العلق

١READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has-

٢created man out of a germ-cell

٣Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One

٤who has taught [man] the use of the pen –

٥taught man what he did not know!

٦Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening

٧whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient:

٨for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return.

٩HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent

١٠a servant [of God] from praying?

١١Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way,

١٢or is concerned with God-consciousness?

١٣Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]?

١٤Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]?

١٥Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead

١٦the lying, rebellious forehead! –

١٧and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom,

١٨[the while] We shall summon the forces of heavenly chastisement!

١٩Nay, pay thou no heed to him, but prostrate thyself [before God] and draw close [unto Him]!