The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O, you, wrapped in your cloak, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 and purify your clothing, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 and be patient unto thy Lord. 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and sons ever present with him, 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 He looked (at others); 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 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