:1. Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
:2. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
:3. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
:4. He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
:5. Taught man that which he knew not.
:6. Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,
:7. In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
:8. Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
:9. Seest thou one who forbids-
:10. A votary when he (turns) to pray?
:11. Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
:12. Or enjoins Righteousness?
:13. Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
:14. Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
: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 (for help) to his council (of comrades):
:18. We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
:19. Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!
