The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise, and warn, 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 and purify your clothing, 4 And uncleanliness avoid 5 And give not a thing in order to have more (or consider not your deeds of Allah's obedience as a favour to Allah). 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He planned and plotted. 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 This is nothing but the word of mortal man!" 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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