The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 arise and warn, 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 Purify your inner self, 4 and defilement flee! 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then he looked, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 He said, 'This is naught but a trumped-up sorcery; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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