The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn, 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 and purify your robes, 4 And stay away from idols. 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 that will surely be a hard day, 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me with him whom I alone have created, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 And sons to be by his side!- 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he looked around, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 This is nothing but the word of mortal man!" 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen keepers. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31