Sūrah 96
Sūrah al-‘Alaq
This sūrah forms a pair with Sūrah al-Tīn; the introduction covering both is on that page.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
Read out to them [O Prophet] in the name of your Lord Who has created – created a human being from a clot of congealed blood. Read out to them and in reality your Lord is the most Bounteous who taught this Qur’ān by the pen. He gave a human being in it that knowledge which he knew not.
[Whatever frivolous talk they indulge in against it is baseless O Prophet!] By no means! Man is surely being rebellious as he has considered himself self-sufficient. Undoubtedly, to your Lord will he [one day] have to return.
Have you seen him who forbids a servant [of God] when he offers the prayer? Just consider if this servant happens to be on the right path or urges [others] to piety, … ? Just see if this [wretch] is the one who has denied and turned away, … ? Did he not know that God is watching?
[This is nothing.] By no means! If he does not desist, We shall drag him by the forelock, a lying sinful forelock. Then let him call his companions. We shall summon Our guards.
By no means! Heed him not and bow down in prostration and in this manner draw near Me.