The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 and flee from the statues! 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 Exercise patience to please your Lord. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 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 give him vast riches, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 and who still desires more. 15 By no means! He has been stubbornly hostile to Our revelation: 16 We shall make him suffer the torment of hell without relief. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 He looked (at others); 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 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