The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O thou enveloped! 1 arise and warn, 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 thy robes purify 4 and flee from the statues! 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 Not easy upon the disbelievers. 10 Leave Me alone, (to deal) with the (creature) whom I created (bare and) alone!- 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 and to whose life I gave so wide a scope: 14 Yet he wants that I should give him more. 15 Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 16 I shall soon constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 Verily, he thought and plotted; 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 Again (self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! - 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 then he retreated and grew proud 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 Over it are appointed nineteen. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31