The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 and defilement flee! 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 So that is a tough day. 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 And gave him sons present before him. 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 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 let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then he considered [again]; 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 Soon will I cast him into Hell-Fire! 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 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