The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 arise and give warning! 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 And pollution shun. 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 and for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 That Day will be a difficult day 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 and sons standing before him, 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 Yet is he greedy-that I should add (yet more);- 15 By no means; he is stubbornly opposed to Our Signs. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 Over it are nineteen. 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