The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise, and warn, 2 And your Lord glorify 3 and purify your robes, 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 Exercise patience to please your Lord. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 And gave him abundant wealth 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 Yet he desireth that I should give more. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 May he be accursed, how he planned! 19 Let him be destroyed. How he calculated! 20 Then he looked, 21 Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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