READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has-

created man out of a germ-cell

Read - for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One

who has taught [man] the use of the pen –

taught man what he did not know!

Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening

whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient:

for, behold, unto thy Sustainer all must return.

HAST THOU ever considered him who tries to prevent

a servant [of God] from praying?

Hast thou considered whether he is on the right way,

or is concerned with God-consciousness?

Hast thou considered whether he may [not] be giving the lie to the truth and turning his back [upon it]?

Does he, then, not know that God sees [all]?

Nay, if he desist not, We shall most surely drag him down upon his forehead

the lying, rebellious forehead! –

and then let him summon [to his aid] the counsels of his own [spurious] wisdom,

[the while] We shall summon the forces of heavenly chastisement!