The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 Thy Lord magnify 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 and defilement flee! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me with him whom I alone have created, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 Yet he desireth that I should give more. 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 We shall make him suffer the torment of hell without relief. 17 Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] 18 So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 He then dared to lift his gaze. 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 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