The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 And keep away from Ar-Rujz (the idols)! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 He planned and plotted. 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 He looked (at others); 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 Burning the skins! 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 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