The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn! 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And your clothing purify 4 stay away from sins 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 And when the trumpet is blown, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 And gave him abundant wealth 12 And children present [with him] 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 For he thought and he plotted -- 18 death seize him, how he determined! 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned and grimaced. 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 it scorches (even) the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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