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 stand up, deliver your warning, 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 thy robes purify 4 stay away from sins 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 shall be a Harsh Day 9 Far from easy for the disbelievers. 10 Leave Me with him whom I alone have created, 11 And gave him abundant wealth 12 And sons to be by his side!- 13 and whom I have provided with every resource, 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more! 15 By no means! For to Our Signs he has been refractory! 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 But may he be cursed how he plotted; 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then looked he, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then he turned away, and was haughty. 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 I will cast him into Hell-fire 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 It scorches people's 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