The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O, you, wrapped in your cloak, 1 Arise and warn! 2 Thy Lord magnify, 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 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 gave him abundant wealth 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] 18 So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 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 scorches the skin; 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