English - Chapter 96 - Al-Alaq

READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has

created man out of a germ-cell

Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One

taught man what he did not know

Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening

whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient

for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return

HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent

a servant [of God] from praying

Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way

or is concerned with God-consciousness

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

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

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

the lying, rebellious forehead! –

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

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

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