The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Cloaked one, 1 Arise and warn, 2 And your Lord do magnify, 3 And your garments do purify, 4 and defilement flee! 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then he looked, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Above it are nineteen guards. 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