Setting
Surah The Clot [Al-Alaq] in English
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ﴿١﴾
Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
Iqra biismi rabbika allathee khalaqa
READ IN THE name of your Lord who created,
Read with the name of your Lord Who created,
Recite: In the Name of thy Lord who created,
Recite thou in the name of thy Lord Who hath created -
Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),
Read: In the Name of your Lord who created.
Recite in the name of your Lord Who created,
Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,
Read in the Name of your Lord who created;
Read (Prophet Muhammad) in the Name of your Lord who created,
(Muhammad), read in the name of your Lord who created (all things).
Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
Read! In the name of your Lord, who created:
Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ﴿٢﴾
Created man from a clinging substance.
Khalaqa alinsana min AAalaqin
Created man from an embryo;
Created man from a clot.
created Man of a blood-clot.
Hath created man from a clot!
Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Created man from a clot.
created man from a clot of congealed blood.
Createth man from a clot.
created man from a clinging mass.
created the human from a (blood) clot.
He created man from a clot of blood.
He created man from a clot.
created man from a clot [of blood].
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ﴿٣﴾
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Iqra warabbuka alakramu
Read, for your Lord is most beneficent,
Read, and your Lord only is the Most Beneficent,
Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous,
Recite thou: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,
Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous.
Recite: and your Lord is Most Generous,
Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,
Read, and your Lord is the most generous,
Read! Your Lord is the Most Generous,
Recite! Your Lord is the most Honorable One,
Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ﴿٤﴾
Who taught by the pen -
Allathee AAallama bialqalami
Who taught by the pen,
The One Who taught to write with the pen.
who taught by the Pen,
Who hath taught mankind by the pen -
Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)].
He who taught by the pen.
Who taught by the pen,
Who teacheth by the pen,
who taught by the pen,
who taught by the pen,
who, by the pen, taught the human being:
Who taught (to write) with the pen
who taught by the pen,
He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ﴿٥﴾
Taught man that which he knew not.
AAallama alinsana ma lam yaAAlam
Taught man what he did not know.
The One Who taught man all what he did not know.
taught Man that he knew not.
Hath taught man that which he knew not.
Has taught man that which he knew not.
Taught man what he never knew.
taught man what he did not know.
Teacheth man that which he knew not.
taught man what he did not know.
taught the human what he did not know.
He taught the human being what he did not know.
Taught man what he knew not.
taught man what he did not know.
Taught man that which he knew not.
كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ ﴿٦﴾
No! [But] indeed, man transgresses
Kalla inna alinsana layatgha
And yet, but yet man is rebellious,
Yes indeed, man is surely rebellious.
No indeed; surely Man waxes insolent,
By no means: Verily man exorbitateth.
Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.).
In fact, man oversteps all bounds.
Nay, surely man transgresses;
Nay, but verily man is rebellious
Indeed man becomes rebellious
Indeed, surely the human is very insolent
Despite this, the human being still tends to rebel
Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
Yet man behaves arrogantly,
Nay, but man doth transgress all bounds,
أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ ﴿٧﴾
Because he sees himself self-sufficient.
An raahu istaghna
For he thinks he is sufficient in himself.
As he considers himself independent!
for he thinks himself self-sufficient.
As he bethinkest himself selfsufficient.
Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
When he considers himself exempt.
for he believes himself to be self-sufficient.
That he thinketh himself independent!
when he considers himself without need.
that he sees himself sufficed.
because he thinks that he is independent.
Because he sees himself free from want.
because he thinks himself self-sufficient:
In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ ﴿٨﴾
Indeed, to your Lord is the return.
Inna ila rabbika alrrujAAa
Surely your returning is to your Lord.
Indeed towards your Lord only is the return.
Surely unto thy Lord is the Returning.
Verily Unto thy Lord is the return.
Surely! Unto your Lord is the return.
But to your Lord is the return.
Surely to your Lord is your return.
Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.
Indeed to your Lord is the return.
Indeed, to your Lord is the returning.
However, (all things) will return to your Lord.
Surely to your Lord is the return.
truly, all will return to your Lord.
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ ﴿٩﴾
Have you seen the one who forbids
Araayta allathee yanha
Have you seen him who restrains
What is your opinion – regarding him who forbids –
What thinkest thou? He who forbids
Bethinkest thou him who forbiddeth,
Have you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents,
Have you seen him who prevents?
Did you see him who forbids
Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth
Tell me, he who forbids
What do you think? Have you seen he who forbids
Have you seen the one who prohibits
Have you seen him who forbids
Have you seen one who prevents
Seest thou one who forbids-
عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ ﴿١٠﴾
A servant when he prays?
AAabdan itha salla
A votary when he turns to his devotions?
A bondman when he offers the prayer?
a servant when he prays --
A bondman of Ours when he prayeth *
A slave (Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) when he prays?
A servant when he prays?
a servant (of Allah) when he prays?
A slave when he prayeth?
a servant when he prays,
a worshiper when he prays.
a servant of Ours from prayer?
A servant when he prays?
a worshipper from praying?
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ ﴿١١﴾
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
Araayta in kana AAala alhuda
Have you thought, if he had been on guidance
What is your opinion – if he were upon guidance,
What thinkest thou? If he were upon guidance
Bethinkest thou, if he is himself guided,
Tell me, if he (Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) is on the guidance (of Allah)?
Do you think he is upon guidance?
Did you consider: what if he is on the Right Way,
Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)
tell me, should he be on [true] guidance,
Have you seen if he was upon guidance
What will happen if the praying person is rightly guided
Have you considered if he were on the right way,
Do you think he is rightly guided,
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ ﴿١٢﴾
Or enjoins righteousness?
Aw amara bialttaqwa
Or had enjoined piety, (it would have been better)?
He would enjoin piety, so how good it would be!
or bade to godfearing --
Or he commandeth piety?
Or enjoins piety?
Or advocates righteousness?
and enjoins piety?
Or enjoineth piety?
or bid [others] to Godwariness,
or orders piety?
or if he commands others to maintain piety!?
Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
or enjoins true piety?
Or enjoins Righteousness?
أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ ﴿١٣﴾
Have you seen if he denies and turns away -
Araayta in kaththaba watawalla
Have you thought that if he denies and turns away,
What is your opinion – if he denies and turns away, how wretched will be his state!
What thinkest thou? If he cries lies, and turns away -
Bethinkest thou, if he belieth and turneth away?
Tell me if he (the disbeliever, Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Quran), and turns away?
Do you see how he disbelieved and turned away?
Did you consider: what if he gives the lie (to the Truth) and turns away (from it)?
Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward?
tell me, should he call him a liar and turn away
What do you think? Have you seen if he belies and turns away,
What will happen if the prohibiting rejects the Truth and turns away from it!?
Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
Do you see how he has denied the truth and turned away from it?
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ ﴿١٤﴾
Does he not know that Allah sees?
Alam yaAAlam bianna Allaha yara
Does he not know that God sees?
Did he not realise that Allah is watching?
Did he not know that God sees?
Knoweth he not that Allah beholdeth?
Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?
Does he not know that God sees?
Does he not know that Allah sees everything?
Is he then unaware that Allah seeth?
—does he not know that Allah sees [him]?
does he not know that Allah sees?
Does he not realize that God sees him?
Does he not know that Allah does see?
Does he not know that God observes all things?
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ ﴿١٥﴾
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -
Kalla lain lam yantahi lanasfaAAan bialnnasiyati
And yet indeed if he does not desist We shall drag him by the forelock,
Yes certainly, if he does not desist, We will seize him by the forelock.
No indeed; surely, if he gives not over, We shall seize him by the forelock,
By no means! If he desist not We shall seize and deal him by the forelock -
Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock,
No. If he does not desist, We will drag him by the forelock.
No indeed; if he does not desist, We shall drag him by the forelock;
Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock -
No indeed! If he does not cease, We shall seize him by the forelock,
Indeed, if he does not desist, We will seize him by the forelock,
Let him know that if he does not desist, We shall certainly drag him by his forelocks,
Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
Let him beware! If he does not desist, We will drag him by the forelock --
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ ﴿١٦﴾
A lying, sinning forelock.
Nasiyatin kathibatin khatiatin
By the lying, the sinful forelock.
A forelock that lies, is sinful.
a lying, sinful forelock.
A forelock, lying, sinning.
A lying, sinful forelock!
A deceitful, sinful forelock.
by the lying forelock steeped in sin.
The lying, sinful forelock -
a lying, sinful forelock!
a lying, sinful forelock.
his lying sinful forelock.
A lying, sinful forehead.
his lying, sinful forelock.
A lying, sinful forelock!
فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ ﴿١٧﴾
Then let him call his associates;
FalyadAAu nadiyahu
So let him call his associates,
So let him now call his gang!
So let him call on his concourse!
Then, let him call his assembly,
Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers),
Let him call on his gang.
So let him summon his helpmates;
Then let him call upon his henchmen!
Then let him call out his gang!
So, let him call upon his way!
Let him call on his associates for help
Then let him summon his council,
Then let him call his associates;
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ ﴿١٨﴾
We will call the angels of Hell.
SanadAAu alzzabaniyata
We shall call the guards of Hell.
We will now call the guards!
We shall call on the guards of Hell.
We also shall call the infernal guards.
We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!
We will call the Guards.
We too shall summon the guards of Hell.
We will call the guards of hell.
We [too] shall call the keepers of hell.
We, will call the Zabania (the harsh angels of Hell).
and We too will call the stern and angry keepers of hell.
We too would summon the braves of the army.
We shall summon the guards of Hell.
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب ۩ ﴿١٩﴾
No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].
Kalla la tutiAAhu waosjud waiqtarib
Beware! Do not obey him, but bow in adoration and draw near (to your Lord).
Yes indeed; do not listen to him – and prostrate, and become close to Us. (Command of Prostration # 14)
No indeed; do thou not obey him, and bow thyself, and draw nigh.
By no means! Obey not thou him. Continue to adore, and continue to draw nigh.
Nay! (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!
No, do not obey him; but kneel down, and come near.
No, not at all. Never obey him. But prostrate yourself and become nigh (to your Lord).
Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).
No indeed! Do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near [to Allah]!
No, indeed; do not obey him! Prostrate and come nearer (to Allah).
(Muhammad), never yield to him! Prostrate yourself and try to come closer to God.
Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
No indeed! Do not obey him, but prostrate yourself and come closer to God.
Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!