The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O the Cloaked One! (Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) 1 arise and give warning! 2 Thy Lord magnify 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made life smooth and comfortable for him! 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 May he be accursed, how he planned! 19 Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - 20 Then he thought; 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen keepers. 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