The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And your garments do purify, 4 stay away from sins 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 and sons ever present with him, 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 Soon I shall mount him on Saood, the hill of fire. 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 And what have you understood, what hell is! 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are appointed 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