The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And your Lord (Allah) magnify! 3 And thine inner self purify! 4 And pollution shun. 5 And do not confer favor to acquire more 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 So that is a tough day. 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 May he be accursed, how he planned! 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 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