1. Read in the Name of your Lord, Who created (everything).

اقرأ باسم ربك الذي خلق

2. He created human being from a leech-like mass (clinging to the endometrium of the uterus).*

* The words ‘‘alaq’ in this verse and ‘‘alaqa’ in verses 22:5 and 23:14 describe the human embryo from days 7–24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus like a leech. Just as the leech clings to the skin and derives blood from the host, the human embryo clings to the endometrium and derives blood from the mother. It is remarkable how much the embryo resembles a leech at 23–24 days. Microscopes were not available in the 7th century, so without recourse to revelation, it would not have been possible for anyone to have known that the human embryo at this stage was clinging to the endometrium and had a leech-like appearance.

خلق الإنسان من علق

3. Read, and your Lord is the Most-Generous,

اقرأ وربك الأكرم

4. Who taught (to write) by the pen,

الذي علم بالقلم

5. Who taught human being what he did not know.

علم الإنسان ما لم يعلم

6. No, indeed, human being becomes rebellious,

كلا إن الإنسان ليطغى

7. when he thinks he is self-sufficient.

أن رآه استغنى

8. Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

إن إلى ربك الرجعى

9. Have you noticed the one who prevents,

أرأيت الذي ينهى

10. an (esteemed) servant (of Ours) when he prays?*

* These verses are usually understood as a reference to Abu Jahal’s efforts to prevent the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) from praying at the Ka‘ba.

عبدا إذا صلى

11. Tell me, if he (i.e. the one who prevents) had been on the right path,

أرأيت إن كان على الهدى

12. and encouraged (people) to be God-conscious (would it not have been better for him)?

أو أمر بالتقوى

13. Tell me (now), if he has rejected (the truth) and turned away (from it, would that not be worse for him)?

أرأيت إن كذب وتولى

14. Does he not know that Allah sees (his conduct)?*

* These four verses, verses 11 to 14, can also be rendered with the following meanings: ‘(O Abu Jahl!) Do you realise if Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) is on the right path and urges the people to be God-conscious, that your effort to prevent him from worshipping will lead you to be cursed in this world and the Hereafter? And do you realise what will be the fate of the one who rejects the truth and turns away from the right path? Does he not know that Allah watches all what he does?’ These verses may also be rendered with a generalised meaning: ‘Tell me: if someone is on the right path and urges the people to be God-conscious, and then tell me: if someone rejects the truth and turns away from the right path, which one of the two is better? Does he not know that Allah sees and differentiates between the two?’

ألم يعلم بأن الله يرى

15. No, indeed! If he does not stop, We shall grab him by the lock of hair over his forehead,

كلا لئن لم ينته لنسفعا بالناصية

16. a lying, sinful forehead.

ناصية كاذبة خاطئة

17. Then let him call his comrades (for help).

فليدع ناديه

18. We will call the guards of Hell.

سندع الزبانية

19. No, indeed! Do not care about his doings and continue prostrating and drawing near (to Allah).

كلا لا تطعه واسجد واقترب