The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And your Lord glorify 3 And your garments purify! 4 And all abomination shun! 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 For he thought and he plotted -- 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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