AL ‘ALAQ or IQRA’ (Read!)
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1 Proclaim! In the name of your Lord, who created;
2 Created man, out of a clot of congealed blood:
3 Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful,
4 He who taught you to write,
5 Taught man that which he knew not.
6 No, but man transgresses all bounds,
7 In that he looks upon himself as self-sufficient.
8 Truly, to your Lord is the return.
9 Do you see one who forbids
10 A votary when he prays?
11 Do you see if he is guided?
12 Or enjoins righteousness?
13 Do you see if he denies and turns away?
14 Knows he not that Allah sees?
15 Let him beware! If he desist not, we will drag him by the forelock,
16 A lying, sinful forelock!
17 Then, let him call to his council:
18 We will call on the angels of punishment!
19 No, heed him not, but bow down in adoration, and bring yourself closer!