The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise, and warn. 2 And your Lord (Allah) magnify! 3 and purify your robes, 4 and flee from the statues! 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 For when the Trump is sounded 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Leave Me with him whom I alone have created, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and children living in his presence, 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 He looked (at others); 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 and in the end he turns his back [on Our message,] and glories in his arrogance, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 making [all truth] visible to mortal man. 29 Above it are nineteen guards. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31