The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O, you, wrapped in your cloak, 1 Arise and warn, 2 Thy Lord magnify, 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 stay away from sins 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Above it are nineteen. 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