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 greatness of your Lord, 3 purify your garments; 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 and be patient unto thy Lord. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 and who still desires more. 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 Then he looked, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 Burning the skins! 29 Over it are nineteen keepers. 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