The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn, 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 and purify your clothing, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 For when the Trump is sounded 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And children to be by his side! 13 To whom I made (life) smooth and comfortable! 14 and who still greedily desires that I should bestow upon him more. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then he looked round; 21 frowned and scowled; 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what can make you know what is Saqar? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 Burning the skins! 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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