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 Glorify your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And pollution shun. 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then he looked, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches people's skin 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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