The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 And your garments purify! 4 And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)! 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 And gave him sons present before him. 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 shall inflict on him hardship, 17 Indeed, he thought and deliberated. 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he looked, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 Burning the skins! 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