The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 arise and warn, 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 and purify your robes, 4 And stay away from idols. 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And gave him abundant wealth 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then he looked, 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 over it are nineteen. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31