The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise, and warn. 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 cleanse your clothes, 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 Do not bestow favours in expectation of return, 6 And for the sake of your Lord, patiently endure. 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave Me and him whom I created alone, 11 And gave him vast wealth. 12 and sons ever present with him, 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 After all that he desires that I should give more; 15 By no means! Verily he hath been unto Our signs a foe. 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 Lo! He reflected, and determined -- 18 Perish he! How maliciously he devised! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 Then he thought; 21 frowned and scowled, 22 Then turned he back, and grew stiff-necked. 23 Then he said: "This is nothing but magic from that of old; 24 "This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 Would that you really knew what hell is! 27 It lets nothing remain and leaves nothing [unburned], 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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