The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise, and warn, 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 And uncleanliness avoid 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 It will not be easy for those who deny the truth. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 And made (life) smooth for him. 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then looked he, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares not (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels guarding). 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