The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And your Lord do magnify, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 That, at that time, shall be a difficult day, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 May he be condemned! 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then he frowned and scowled, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 Him shall I soon roast in Hell. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It scorches people's skin 29 and it has nineteen angelic keepers. 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