The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn, 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 And uncleanliness avoid 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 And gave him sons present before him. 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then looked he, 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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