The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 shun uncleanness; 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 And children to be by his side! 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he considered [again]; 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 scorching the flesh; 29 and it has nineteen angelic 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