The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O, you, wrapped in your cloak, 1 arise and give warning! 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 purify your garments; 4 And all abomination shun! 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And children present [with him] 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 and I shall constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he looked, 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 30 We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind. 31