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 thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 shun uncleanness; 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 be patient unto your Lord. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And gave him sons present before him. 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 I will make a distressing punishment overtake him. 17 For he had thought and calculated. 18 death seize him, how he determined! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he looked, 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 scorching the flesh; 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