The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise, and warn, 2 And your Lord do magnify, 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 And do not favour others in order to receive more. 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 And children to be by his side! 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he considered [again]; 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 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 shall not spare, nor leave. 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 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