The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who are clothed! 1 arise, and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 And thine inner self purify! 4 And pollution shun. 5 And do not favour others in order to receive more. 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 For he had thought and calculated. 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then he looked around, 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 scorching the flesh; 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 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