The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 Arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 And do not confer favor to acquire more 6 and be patient unto thy Lord. 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then he looked round; 21 frowned and scowled, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 It scorches people's 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