The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 Arise, and warn. 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 and purify your robes, 4 And all defilement shun! 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 be patient unto your 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 Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 And gave him sons present before him. 13 And made things easy for them. 14 Yet he desireth that I should give more. 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he had thought and calculated. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 and he turned his back and behaved arrogantly 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 Scorching the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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