The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Cloaked one, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 thy robes purify 4 And uncleanliness avoid 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 And when the trumpet is blown, 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And made life smooth and comfortable for him! 14 and who still desires more. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 May he be accursed, how he planned! 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then looked he, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will soon fling him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen keepers. 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