The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 arise, and warn! 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 shun uncleanness; 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 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 give him vast riches, 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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