The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 But for your Lord be patient. 7 So when the Trumpet will be blown. 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 Far from easy for those without Faith. 10 Leave Me alone with he whom I created 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 and who still greedily desires that I should bestow upon him more. 15 Never will he receive more. He has been hostile to Our revelations. 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 So let him be cursed! How he plotted! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he beheld, 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is naught but the word of a mortal. 25 I shall make him suffer the torment of hell. 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 making [all truth] visible to mortal man. 29 Over it are Nineteen. 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