The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 Arise and warn 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And banish all trepidation. 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 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then looked he, 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 This is nothing but the word of mortal man!" 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 Burning the skins! 29 Over it are appointed nineteen. 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