العلق

1READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has-

2created man out of a germ-cell

3Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One

4who has taught [man] the use of the pen –

5taught man what he did not know!

6Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening

7whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient:

8for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return.

9HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent

10a servant [of God] from praying?

11Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way,

12or is concerned with God-consciousness?

13Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]?

14Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]?

15Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead

16the lying, rebellious forehead! –

17and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom,

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

19Nay, pay thou no heed to him, but prostrate thyself [before God] and draw close [unto Him]!