The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn! 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 And pollution shun. 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 and he turned his back and behaved arrogantly 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 it scorches the skin; 29 Over it are appointed 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