The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 arise, and warn! 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 shun uncleanness; 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 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 not easy. 10 Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created Alone (without any means, i.e. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah Al-Makhzumi)! 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 May he be condemned! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he beheld, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Above it are nineteen. 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