The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 And thine inner self purify! 4 stay away from sins 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 and be patient unto thy Lord. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 He planned and plotted. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 Burning the skins! 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 30 For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and they who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray,] and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man. 31