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 thine Lord magnify! 3 And thine inner self purify! 4 And all abomination shun! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 and be patient unto thy Lord. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and sons ever present with him, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then looked he, 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what can make you know what is Saqar? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 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