The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you (Prophet Muhamad), the cloaked, 1 Rise up and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 and purify your robes, 4 And all defilement shun! 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 Then he looked, 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 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