The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise, and warn, 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And all abomination shun! 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and sons standing before him, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 These are only words from a mere mortal". 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 Burning the skins! 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 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