The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 arise and give warning! 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 Pollution shun! 5 And do not confer favor to acquire more 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I alone have created, 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 And children present [with him] 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 May he be condemned! 19 Let him be destroyed. How he calculated! 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then he frowned and scowled, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are nineteen. 30 For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and they who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray,] and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man. 31