1RECITE thou, in the name of thy Lord who created;–

2Created man from CLOTS OF BLOOD:–

3Recite thou! For thy Lord is the most Beneficent.

4Who hath taught the use of the pen;–

5Hath taught Man that which he knoweth not.

6Nay, verily, Man is insolent.

7Because he seeth himself possessed of riches.

8Verily, to thy Lord is the return of all.

9What thinkest thou of him that holdeth back.

10A servant of God when he prayeth?

11What thinkest thou? Hath he followed the true Guidance, or enjoined Piety?

13What thinkest thou? Hath he treated the truth as a lie and turned his back?

14What! doth he not know how that God seeth?

15Nay, verily, if he desist not, We shall seize him by the forelock.

16The lying sinful forelock!

17Then let him summon his associates.

18We too will summon the guards of Hell.

19Nay! obey him not; but adore, and draw nigh to God.