The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn, 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And all abomination shun! 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 and persevere for your Lord's sake. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Not at all! Surely, he has been disobedient to Our verses. 16 We shall make him suffer the torment of hell without relief. 17 He planned and plotted. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 He looked (at others); 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 it scorches (even) the skin. 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