The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who are clothed! 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And pollution shun. 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And then bestowed upon him ample means, 12 and children living in his presence, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 He reflected, and then determined 18 death seize him, how he determined! 19 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 it scorches the skin; 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 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