The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 And your clothing purify 4 and flee from the statues! 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And made life smooth and comfortable for him! 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 May he be condemned! 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he beheld, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 I will soon fling him into hell. 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It neither spares, nor releases, 28 it scorches (even) 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