The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 Arise and warn 2 And your Lord glorify 3 purify your garments; 4 and defilement flee! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 For he thought and he plotted -- 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Let him be destroyed. How he calculated! 20 Then he looked round; 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 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