The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 Rise up and warn! 2 Thy Lord magnify 3 Purify your inner self, 4 And pollution shun. 5 And do not confer favor to acquire more 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 Then looked he, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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