The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 Arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 Pollution shun! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 And sons present by his side. 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he thought; 21 Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen keepers. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31