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 magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 stay away from sins 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 it will be a hard day 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 And children present [with him] 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Indeed, he thought and deliberated. 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 He looked (at others); 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 These are only words from a mere mortal". 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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