The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
O thou enveloped! 1 arise and give warning! 2 And thy Lord do thou magnify! 3 And thy garments keep free from stain! 4 And stay away from idols. 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 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 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 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then he turned back and was haughty; 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 30 We have appointed only angels to be masters of the Fire, and their number We have appointed only as a trial for the unbelievers, that those who were given the Book may have certainty, and that those who believe may increase in belief, and that those who were given the Book and those who believe may not be in-doubt, and that those in whose hearts there is sickness, and the unbelievers, may say, 'What did God intend by this as a similitude?' So God leads astray whomsoever He will, and He guides whomsoever He will; and none knows the hosts of thy Lord but He. And it is naught but a Reminder to mortals. 31