The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you who covers himself [with a garment], 1 arise, and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 thy robes purify 4 shun uncleanness; 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 That shall be - that Day - a day hard. 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 and who still greedily desires that I should bestow upon him more. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then frowned and grimaced. 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 and said, "This is nothing but sorcery from the ancients. 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31