The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you (Prophet Muhamad), the cloaked, 1 arise and give warning! 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 shun uncleanness; 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 And sons present by his side. 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Let him be destroyed. How he calculated! 20 Then he looked, 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 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