The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Cloaked one, 1 arise and give warning! 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 And your garments purify! 4 And all defilement shun! 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 that shall be a Harsh Day 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 And children to be by his side! 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 By no means! He has been stubbornly hostile to Our revelation: 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he looked round; 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It neither spares, nor releases, 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 29 Over it are nineteen. 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