The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 Arise and warn 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 And all defilement shun! 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 And children present [with him] 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen 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