The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 Arise and warn! 2 and magnify the glory of your Lord, 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 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 sons standing before him, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 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 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Again, death seized him, how was his determining! 20 Then looked he, 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then he turned back and was proud; 23 And said, "This is not but magic imitated [from others]. 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will soon fling him into hell. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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