The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 and flee from the statues! 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Not at all! Surely, he has been disobedient to Our verses. 16 I will constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 May he be condemned! 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then he looked, 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 Soon will I cast him into Hell-Fire! 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 30 And We have appointed none but the angels to be wardens of the Fire. And their number we have made only a trial for those who disbelieve, so that those who are vouchsafed the Book may be convinced, and that those who believe may increase in faith, and that those who are vouchsafed the Book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the infidels may say: what meaneth Allah by this description! In this wise Allah sendeth astray whomsoever He will, and guideth whomsoever He will. And none knoweth the hosts of thy Lord but He. And it is naught but an admonition unto man. 31