The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise, and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 And for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 Yet he desireth that I should give more. 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he thought and he plotted -- 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he thought; 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what will make you realize what hell is? 27 It neither spares, nor releases, 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31