The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And pollution shun. 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 For when the trumpet blows 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and sons standing before him, 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 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 So may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is not but the word of a human being." 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 leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 it scorches (even) the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen (guards). 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