Surah 96: The Embryo (Al-`Alaq)

اقرَأ بِاسمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذى خَلَقَ

Read, in the name of your Lord, who created.*

*96:1-19 From 96 to 114 is 19 suras. The first revelation (96:1-5) is 19 Arabic words, 76 letters (19x4). The sura consists of 19 verses and 304 Arabic letters (App. 1 & 23).

خَلَقَ الإِنسٰنَ مِن عَلَقٍ

He created man from an embryo.

اقرَأ وَرَبُّكَ الأَكرَمُ

Read, and your Lord, Most Exalted.

الَّذى عَلَّمَ بِالقَلَمِ

Teaches by means of the pen.

عَلَّمَ الإِنسٰنَ ما لَم يَعلَم

He teaches man what he never knew.

كَلّا إِنَّ الإِنسٰنَ لَيَطغىٰ

Indeed, the human transgresses.

أَن رَءاهُ استَغنىٰ

When he becomes rich.

إِنَّ إِلىٰ رَبِّكَ الرُّجعىٰ

To your Lord is the ultimate destiny.

أَرَءَيتَ الَّذى يَنهىٰ

Have you seen the one who enjoins.

عَبدًا إِذا صَلّىٰ

Others from praying?

أَرَءَيتَ إِن كانَ عَلَى الهُدىٰ

Is it not better for him to follow the guidance?

أَو أَمَرَ بِالتَّقوىٰ

Or advocate righteousness?

أَرَءَيتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلّىٰ

If he disbelieves and turns away.

أَلَم يَعلَم بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرىٰ

Does he not realize that God sees?

كَلّا لَئِن لَم يَنتَهِ لَنَسفَعًا بِالنّاصِيَةِ

Indeed, unless he refrains, we will take him by the forelock.

ناصِيَةٍ كٰذِبَةٍ خاطِئَةٍ

A forelock that is disbelieving and sinful.

فَليَدعُ نادِيَهُ

Let him then call on his helpers.

سَنَدعُ الزَّبانِيَةَ

We will call the guardians of Hell.

كَلّا لا تُطِعهُ وَاسجُد وَاقتَرِب

You shall not obey him; you shall fall prostrate and draw nearer.