The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 Yet he desireth that I should give more. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I will constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then he beheld, 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 And what have you understood, what hell is! 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 Scorching the skin. 29 over it are nineteen. 30 And We have appointed none but the angels to be wardens of the Fire. And their number we have made only a trial for those who disbelieve, so that those who are vouchsafed the Book may be convinced, and that those who believe may increase in faith, and that those who are vouchsafed the Book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the infidels may say: what meaneth Allah by this description! In this wise Allah sendeth astray whomsoever He will, and guideth whomsoever He will. And none knoweth the hosts of thy Lord but He. And it is naught but an admonition unto man. 31