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 purify your garments; 4 shun uncleanness; 5 And do not confer favor to acquire more 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 When the trumpet is sounded,. 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 not an easy day for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And gave him abundant wealth 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 and made all things smooth for him; 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 Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 Then he beheld, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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