The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O YOU ENFOLDED in your mantle (of reform), 1 Arise and warn! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 Surely that day will be a day of anguish, 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 And made life smooth and comfortable for him! 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Not at all! Surely, he has been disobedient to Our verses. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 He then dared to lift his gaze. 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaveth naught; it spareth naught 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 Above it are nineteen. 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