The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 thy robes purify 4 And all abomination shun! 5 and bestow not favour in order to seek from others a greater return, 6 Exercise patience to please your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet shall sound, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And made things easy for them. 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 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 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then he looked around, 21 Then he frowned and he scowled; 22 Then turned he away in pride 23 and said: 'This is no more than traced sorcery; 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 What do you think Hell-fire is? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 scorching the flesh; 29 Above it are nineteen. 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