The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise, and warn. 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 and defilement flee! 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 That shall be - that Day - a day hard. 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then looked he, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 'this is nothing but mortal speech.' 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 It scorches the mortal. 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