The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Rise up and warn! 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 And your garments purify! 4 shun uncleanness; 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 and who still desires more. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 He planned and plotted. 18 May he be condemned! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 He looked (at others); 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 It strips away the hide of man. 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