Read the surah · Surah 96

Al-Alaqالعلق

The Clot · 19 verses · Meccan

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In plain wordsEditorial

An editorial summary of the translations. Not a translation or tafsir.

Nineteen verses opening with an instruction to read or recite, qualified by whose name it is to be done in, and taking its name from what verse 2 says man was made of. It closes on a different subject: someone who obstructs another at prayer, and an instruction not to obey him.

AALAMIN Editor · signed 25 August 2026

not a scholar — what this signature means

I am not a scholar, and nothing here asks you to treat me as one. The plain words on this site are my restatement of what the five translations shown above say, together with counts derived from the text itself — nothing more. I sign them so that a named person is accountable for every sentence, not so you'll take my word for anything. The authority on this page is the text and its translators. If my words don't match theirs, mine are the ones that are wrong.

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Talal Itani · published 2012

Verse 1 of 19

96:1

ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

Easy-read (simplified)iqra' bismi rabbika lladhee khalaq

DIN 31635iqraʾ bismi rabbika llaḏī ḫalaqa

Read: In the Name of your Lord who created.

Compare translations (4)

Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

READ, in the name of thy Lord

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

RECITE thou, in the name of thy Lord who created

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Read, in the name of thy Lord, Who hath created all things

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

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An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

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Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:2

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

Easy-read (simplified)khalaqa l-'insaana min 'alaq

DIN 31635ḫalaqa l-ʾinsāna min ʿalaqin

Created man from a clot.

Compare translations (4)

Createth man from a clot

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Who created man from congealed blood

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Created man from CLOTS OF BLOOD

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

who hath created man of congealed blood

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

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An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

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In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:3

ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ

Easy-read (simplified)iqra' warabbuka l-'akram

DIN 31635iqraʾ warabbuka l-ʾakramu

Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous.

Compare translations (4)

Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Read, for thy Lord is most generous

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Recite thou! For thy Lord is the most Beneficent

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Read, by thy most beneficent Lord

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

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An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

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In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:4

ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ

Easy-read (simplified)alladhee 'allama bil-qalam

DIN 31635allaḏī ʿallama bil-qalami

He who taught by the pen.

Compare translations (4)

Who teacheth by the pen

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Who taught the pen

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Who hath taught the use of the pen

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Who taught the use of the pen

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:5

عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

Easy-read (simplified)'allama l-'insaana maa lam ya'lam

DIN 31635ʿallama l-ʾinsāna mā lam yaʿlam

Taught man what he never knew.

Compare translations (4)

Teacheth man that which he knew not

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Taught man what he did not know

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Hath taught Man that which he knoweth not

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Who teacheth man that which he knoweth not

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:6

كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَيَطْغَىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)kallaa inna l-'insaana layatghaa

DIN 31635kallā ʾinna l-ʾinsāna layaṭġā

The translators word this verse differently

In fact, man oversteps all bounds.

Compare translations (4)

Nay, but verily man is rebellious

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Nay, verily, man is indeed outrageous

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Nay, verily, Man is insolent

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Assuredly. Verily man becometh insolent

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:7

أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)an ra'aahu staghnaa

DIN 31635ʾan raʾāhu staġnā

The translators word this verse differently

When he considers himself exempt.

Compare translations (4)

That he thinketh himself independent

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

at seeing himself get rich

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Because he seeth himself possessed of riches

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

because he seeth himself abound in riches

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:8

إِنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلرُّجْعَىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)inna ilaa rabbika r-ruj'aa

DIN 31635ʾinna ʾilā rabbika r-ruǧʿā

But to your Lord is the return.

Compare translations (4)

Lo! unto thy Lord is the return

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Verily, unto thy Lord is the return

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Verily, to thy Lord is the return of all

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Verily unto thy Lord shall be the return of all

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:9

أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يَنْهَىٰ

Easy-read (simplified)ara'ayta lladhee yanhaa

DIN 31635ʾaraʾayta llaḏī yanhā

The translators word this verse differently

Have you seen him who prevents?

Compare translations (4)

Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Hast thou considered him who forbids

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

What thinkest thou of him that holdeth back

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

What thinkest thou as to him

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:10

عَبْدًا إِذَا صَلَّىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)'abdan idhaa sallaa

DIN 31635ʿabdan ʾiḏā ṣallā

A servant when he prays?

Compare translations (4)

A slave when he prayeth

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

a servant when he prays

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

A servant of God when he prayeth

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

who forbiddeth our servant, when he prayeth

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:11

أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)ara'ayta in kaana 'alaa l-hudaa

DIN 31635ʾaraʾayta ʾin kāna ʿalā l-hudā

The translators word this verse differently

Do you think he is upon guidance?

Compare translations (4)

Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Hast thou considered if he were in guidance

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

What thinkest thou? Hath he followed the true Guidance

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

What thinkest thou; if he follow the right direction

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:12

أَوْ أَمَرَ بِٱلتَّقْوَىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)aw amara bit-taqwaa

DIN 31635ʾaw ʾamara bit-taqwā

Or advocates righteousness?

Compare translations (4)

Or enjoineth piety

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

or bade piety

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

or enjoined Piety

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

or command piety

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:13

أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

Easy-read (simplified)ara'ayta in kadhdhaba watawallaa

DIN 31635ʾaraʾayta ʾin kaḏḏaba watawallā

The translators word this verse differently

Do you see how he disbelieved and turned away?

Compare translations (4)

Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah's guidance) and is froward

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Hast thou considered if he said it was a lie, and turned his back

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

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

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

What thinkest thou; if he accuse the divine revelations of falsehood, and turn his back

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:14

أَلَمْ يَعْلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ

Easy-read (simplified)alam ya'lam bi'anna llaaha yaraa

DIN 31635ʾalam yaʿlam biʾanna llāha yarā

Does he not know that God sees?

Compare translations (4)

Is he then unaware that Allah seeth

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Did he not know that God can see

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

What! doth he not know how that God seeth

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Doth he not know that God seeth

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:15

كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ

Easy-read (simplified)kallaa la'in lam yantahi lanasfa'an bin-naasiyah

DIN 31635kallā laʾin lam yantahi lanasfaʿan bin-nāṣiyati

No. If he does not desist, We will drag him by the forelock.

Compare translations (4)

Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Nay, surely, if he do not desist we will drag him by the forelock

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

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

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Assuredly. Verily, if he forbear not, We will drag him by the forelock

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:16

نَاصِيَةٍ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍ

Easy-read (simplified)naasiyatin kaadhibatin khaati'ah

DIN 31635nāṣiyatin kāḏibatin ḫāṭiʾatin

A deceitful, sinful forelock.

Compare translations (4)

The lying, sinful forelock

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

the lying sinful forelock

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

The lying sinful forelock

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

the lying, sinful forelock

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:17

فَلْيَدْعُ نَادِيَهُۥ

Easy-read (simplified)falyad'u naadiyah

DIN 31635falyadʿu nādiyahu

Let him call on his gang.

Compare translations (4)

Then let him call upon his henchmen

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

So let him call his counsel

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Then let him summon his associates

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

And let him call his council to his assistance

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:18

سَنَدْعُ ٱلزَّبَانِيَةَ

Easy-read (simplified)sanad'u z-zabaaniyah

DIN 31635sanadʿu z-zabāniyata

We will call the Guards.

Compare translations (4)

We will call the guards of hell

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

we will call the guards of hell

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

We too will summon the guards of Hell

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

We also will call the infernal guards to cast him into hell

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

96:19

كَلَّا لَا تُطِعْهُ وَٱسْجُدْ وَٱقْتَرِب

Easy-read (simplified)kallaa laa tuti'hu wasjud waqtarib

DIN 31635kallā lā tuṭiʿhu wasǧud waqtarib

No, do not obey him; but kneel down, and come near.

Compare translations (4)

Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah)

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Nay, obey him not, but adore and draw nigh

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

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

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Assuredly. Obey him not: But continue to adore God; and draw nigh unto Him

George Sale · published 1734

In plain words

Optional editorial orientation

An editorial summary of the translations above. Not a translation or tafsir.

In plain words →

Sources

In-depth analysis →

Talal Itani · 2012
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
John Medows Rodwell · 1861
George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

Arabic textTanzil Qur'an text (Uthmani) ·Uthmani, Version 1.1·Tanzil Project ·Creative Commons Attribution 3.0·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations Edward Henry Palmer, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

Edward Henry Palmer, English translation of the Qur'an ·1880 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations George Sale, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

George Sale, English translation of the Qur'an ·1734 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations John Medows Rodwell, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

John Medows Rodwell, English translation of the Qur'an ·1861 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran·Public domain — copyright term expired

Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran ·1930 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations Talal Itani, ClearQuran·Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Talal Itani, ClearQuran ·ClearQuran, "God" edition, EPUB·Talal Itani / ClearQuran.com ·Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International·retrieved 7 Sep 2026

Translation by Talal Itani, ClearQuran.com https://clearquran.com