The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 arise and warn, 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 And your clothing purify 4 And all defilement shun! 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 Not of ease, for disbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 and sons ever present with him, 13 And made things easy for them. 14 and who still desires more. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 May he be condemned! 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 He looked (at others); 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 Then he said: naught is this but magic from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow anyone to live, and neither does it leave anyone to die; 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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