READ 1 in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created - created man out of a germ-cell! 2 Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught [man] the use of the pen - taught man what he did not know! 3 Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient: for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return. 4 HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent a servant [of God] from praying? 5 Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way, or is concerned with God-consciousness? 6 Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]? 7 Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]? Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead 8 - the lying, rebellious forehead! - and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom, 9 [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]!