And by Mount Sinai!
And by this safe land[1]!
We have indeed created man in the best of symmetry. 5 Then we will send him back the lowest of the low; save those who believe and act aright; for theirs is a hire that is not grudged.
But what shall make thee call the judgment after this a lie?
Is not God a most just of judges?
The Chapter of Congealed Blood[2].
(ⅩⅭⅥ. Mecca.)
In the name of the merciful and compassionate God.
Read, in the name of thy Lord!
Who created man from congealed blood!
Read, for thy Lord is most generous!
5 Who taught the pen!
Taught man what he did not know!
Nay, verily, man is indeed outrageous at seeing himself get rich!
Verily, unto thy Lord is the return!
Hast thou considered him who forbids 10 a servant[3] when he prays[4]?
- ↑ Alluding to the inviolable character of the sacred territory of Mecca.
- ↑ The five opening verses of the chapter are generally allowed to have been the first that were revealed. See Introduction, p. ⅹⅹ, and note 1, idem.
- ↑ I. e. Mohammed.
- ↑ The allusion is to Abu Gahl, who threatened to set his foot on Mohammed’s neck if he caught him in the act of adoration.
