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