The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And pollution shun. 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Let Me alone with him whom I created lonely. 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and sons standing before him, 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he had thought and calculated. 18 May he be condemned! 19 And again perish he! How maliciously he devised! 20 Then he considered [again]; 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and waxed proud, 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It leaves naught nor does it spare aught. 28 and it burns the flesh. 29 Over it are appointed nineteen. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31