The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And your Lord glorify 3 Purify your inner self, 4 and defilement flee! 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then he considered [again]; 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was haughty; 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 And what will make you realize what hell is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 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