The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O the Cloaked One! (Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) 1 arise, and warn! 2 And your Lord glorify 3 And your garments do purify, 4 and flee from the statues! 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And sons to be by his side!- 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he beheld, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was haughty; 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 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