The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And your clothing purify 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I will constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then frowned he and scowled. 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a human being!" 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what can make you know what is Saqar? 27 It neither spares, nor releases, 28 Scorching the skin. 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