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 Glorify your Lord, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 And all abomination shun! 5 And bestow not favors that you may receive again with increase, 6 But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 and for the disbelievers, in particular, it will not be at all easy. 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 and children living in his presence, 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 [and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he thought; 21 then he frowned and scowled, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 Then he said: naught is this but magic from of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It shall not spare, nor leave. 28 making [all truth] visible to mortal man. 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