The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 arise and give warning! 2 And your Lord do magnify, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 And for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 And children to be by his side! 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 and who still greedily desires that I should bestow upon him more. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then frowned and grimaced. 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 Burning the skins! 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