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 And thine Lord magnify! 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 Pollution shun! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 And when the trumpet is blown, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 and sons standing before him, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he beheld, 21 frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was haughty; 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 scorching the flesh; 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