| asad | |
|---|---|
| 1. * | READ 1 in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created - |
| 2. * | created man out of a germ-cell! 2 |
| 3. * | Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One |
| 4. * | who has taught [man] the use of the pen - |
| 5. * | taught man what he did not know! 3 |
| 6. * | Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening |
| 7. * | whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient: |
| 8. * | for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return. 4 |
| 9. * | HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent |
| 10. * | a servant [of God] from praying? 5 |
| 11. * | Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way, |
| 12. * | or is concerned with God-consciousness? 6 |
| 13. * | Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]? 7 |
| 14. * | Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]? |
| 15. * | Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead 8 - |
| 16. * | the lying, rebellious forehead! - |
| 17. * | and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom, 9 |
| 18. * | [the while] We shall summon the forces of heavenly chastisement! |
| 19. * | Nay, pay thou no heed to him, but prostrate thyself [before God] and draw close [unto Him]! |