The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn, 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 shun uncleanness; 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 that will surely be a hard day, 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 May he be condemned! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he thought; 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 He said, 'This is naught but a trumped-up sorcery; 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 it scorches (even) the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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