The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 arise and give warning! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 Purify your inner self, 4 shun uncleanness; 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 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 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Indeed, he thought and deliberated. 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then he looked, 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 scorching the flesh; 29 and it has nineteen angelic 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