The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who are clothed! 1 Arise, and warn. 2 Thy Lord magnify, 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 And all abomination shun! 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 And children present [with him] 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 He planned and plotted. 18 death seized him, how was his determining! 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 Burning the skins! 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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