The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 arise and warn, 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 purify your garments; 4 And all defilement shun! 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 So that is a tough day. 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 and children living in his presence, 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 We shall make him suffer the torment of hell without relief. 17 Indeed, he thought and deliberated. 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then he looked around, 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 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