The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn! 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 And stay away from idols. 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that will surely be a hard day, 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 He planned and plotted. 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 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