The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 shun uncleanness; 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 So that is a tough day. 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And give him vast riches, 12 And sons present by his side. 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 Yea, Woe to him; How he plotted!- 20 Then looked he, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 and in the end he turns his back [on Our message,] and glories in his arrogance, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 These are only words from a mere mortal". 25 I will soon fling him into hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 scorching the flesh; 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