The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 shun uncleanness; 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what do you know what Hell is? 27 It neither leaves, nor spares. 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 30 We have appointed none but angels as the keepers of the Fire, and We have not made their number but as a trial for the unbelievers so that those who have been endowed with the Book will be convinced and the believers' faith will increase, and neither those who have been endowed with the Book nor the believers will fall into any doubt. As for those in whose hearts there is a sickness as well as the unbelievers, they will say: “What did Allah aim at by this strange parable?” Thus does Allah let whomsoever He pleases to go astray, and directs whomsoever He pleases to the Right Way. And none knows the hosts of your Lord but He. (And Hell has only been mentioned here) that people may take heed. 31