The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn! 2 And your Lord (Allah) magnify! 3 and purify your robes, 4 stay away from sins 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 and persevere for your Lord's sake. 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created Alone (without any means, i.e. Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah Al-Makhzumi)! 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 And children to be by his side! 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 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 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 Then he beheld, 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 And said, "This is not but magic imitated [from others]. 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 Darkening and changing the colour of man! 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31