The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn, 2 And your Lord glorify 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 And pollution shun. 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 Exercise patience to please your Lord. 7 And when the trumpet is blown, 8 That shall be - that Day - a day hard. 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and who still desires more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then frowned and grimaced. 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said: This is naught else than magic from of old; 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 And what can make you know what is Saqar? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 It glows and burns the skin. 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