The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 And all defilement shun! 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 and persevere for your Lord's sake. 7 Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 And give him vast riches, 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 He then dared to lift his gaze. 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 Then he said: naught is this but magic from of old; 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 Soon will I cast him into Hell-Fire! 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 30 For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and they who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray,] and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man. 31