The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 Exercise patience to please your Lord. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 scorching the flesh; 29 Above 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