The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 arise and give warning! 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 and purify your clothing, 4 And pollution shun. 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 8 it will be a hard day 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 And gave him sons present before him. 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 I will constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 Then he looked, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 Over it are Nineteen. 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