The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 Arise and warn! 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 shun uncleanness; 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 When the Trumpet is sounded, 8 that will surely be a hard day, 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 To whom I granted resources in abundance, 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 And made life smooth and comfortable for him! 14 Then he desires that I should add more. 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 Then looked he, 21 then frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 These are only words from a mere mortal". 25 I will drive him into Saqar. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 It scorches the mortal. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 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