The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn! 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 And your garments do purify, 4 and defilement flee! 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 Then he looked, 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what have you understood, what hell is! 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 Burning the skins! 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