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 exalt your Lord, 3 And your clothing purify 4 and defilement flee! 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 and whom I have granted abundant wealth 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 yet he is eager that I increase him. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 For he thought and he plotted;- 18 And woe to him! How he plotted!- 19 Again, death seize him, how he determined! 20 Then he looked, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 said, "This (the Quran) is nothing but magic, inherited from ancient magicians. 24 This is naught else than speech of mortal man. 25 [Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]! 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 Burning the skins! 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