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 warn 2 And your Lord (Allah) magnify! 3 and purify your clothing, 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 And do not favour others in order to receive more. 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 Far from easy for the disbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and sons standing before him, 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 By no means! surely he offers opposition to Our communications. 16 We shall make him suffer the torment of hell without relief. 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 Then may he be destroyed [for] how he deliberated. 20 Then he looked round; 21 Then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 And what have you understood, what hell is! 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 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