The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn, 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 thy robes purify 4 And all abomination 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, patiently endure. 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And made things easy for them. 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then he looked around, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 Then he said: naught is this but magic from of old; 24 This is nothing but the word of mortal man!" 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 Scorching the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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