The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 arise, and warn! 2 Thy Lord magnify, 3 and purify your robes, 4 And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)! 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And children present [with him] 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 It glows and burns the skin. 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