The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And thine inner self purify! 4 And uncleanness do shun, 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 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 And sons present by his side. 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 By no means! He has been stubbornly hostile to Our revelation: 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 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 thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then he thought; 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 What will let you know what the Scorching is like! 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 Scorching the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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