The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And your clothing purify 4 And stay away from idols. 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 And sons present by his side. 13 And made several preparations for him. 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 make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 For he thought and he plotted -- 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he looked around, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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