1. Qul yaa-ai yuhal kaafiroon
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ
Say, "O disbelievers,
The Disbelievers
1. Qul yaa-ai yuhal kaafiroon
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ
Say, "O disbelievers,
2. Laa a'budu ma t'abudoon
لَآ أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
I do not worship what you worship.
3. Wa laa antum 'aabidoona maa a'bud
وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
4. Wa laa ana 'abidum maa 'abattum
وَلَآ أَنَا۠ عَابِدٌۭ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ
Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.
5. Wa laa antum 'aabidoona ma a'bud
وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.
6. Lakum deenukum wa liya deen.
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ
For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."
One of the many practices taught by Islam is that its followers should begin their activities in the name of God.
The character of this surah is that of a prayer. The prayer begins with praise of the One to whom our prayer is addressed.