The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who are clothed! 1 Arise and warn, 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 And your clothing purify 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he thought; 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what can make you know what is Saqar? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 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