The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and warn 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 and flee from the statues! 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he looked, 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 30 For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and they who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray,] and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man. 31