The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 Pollution shun! 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and who still desires more. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 May he be condemned! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 He then dared to lift his gaze. 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It neither spares, nor releases, 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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