The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O you who are clothed! 1 Arise and warn, 2 proclaim the greatness of your Lord, 3 Purify your inner self, 4 And banish all trepidation. 5 Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! 6 And for the good-will of thy Lord be thou patient. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 For the infidels, not easy. 10 Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 and sons to be by his side, 13 And made things easy for them. 14 Yet he desires that I should give more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 Again, may he be cursed how he plotted; 20 He looked (at others); 21 And frowned and puckered his brow, 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 scorching the flesh; 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 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