The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped! 1 Arise and warn, 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 and purify your clothing, 4 And uncleanliness avoid 5 And do not through giving seek thyself to gain, 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 So that is a tough day. 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 And then granted him resources in abundance. 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 I will cover him with arduous torment. 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 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Above it are nineteen guards. 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