The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise, and warn. 2 And your Lord (Allah) magnify! 3 And your garments purify! 4 and flee from the statues! 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 And children present [with him] 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 Then frowned and grimaced. 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31