The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn, 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 and defilement flee! 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 Finally, when the Trumpet is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 and to whom I have granted resources in abundance, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 Soon I shall mount him on Saood, the hill of fire. 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Let him be destroyed. How he calculated! 20 Then looked he, 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 It scorches people's skin 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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