The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/96. The Clot

96. The Clot (Al-Alaq)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Read in the name of thy Lord who creates -- 

Creates man from a clot, 

Read and thy Lord is most Generous, 

Who taught by the pen, 

Taught man what he knew not. 

Nay, man is surely inordinate, 

Because he looks upon himself as self-sufficient. 

Surely to thy Lord is the return. 

<section begin="96:9"/>Hast thou seen him who forbids <section end="96:9"/>

<section begin="96:10"/>A servant when he prays? <section end="96:10"/>

<section begin="96:11"/>Seest thou if he is on the right way, <section end="96:11"/>

<section begin="96:12"/>Or enjoins observance of duty? <section end="96:12"/>

<section begin="96:13"/>Seest thou if he denies and turns away? <section end="96:13"/>

<section begin="96:14"/>Knows he not that Allah sees? <section end="96:14"/>

<section begin="96:15"/>Nay, if he desist not, We will seize him by the forelock -- <section end="96:15"/>

<section begin="96:16"/>A lying, sinful forelock! <section end="96:16"/>

<section begin="96:17"/>Then let him summon his council, <section end="96:17"/>

<section begin="96:18"/>We will summon the braves of the army. <section end="96:18"/>

<section begin="96:19"/>Nay! Obey him not, but prostrate thyself, and draw nigh (to Allah). <section end="96:19"/>