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 and exalt your Lord, 3 and purify your clothing, 4 Pollution shun! 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 And for the sake of your Lord, be patient. 7 Then when the horn shall be blown, 8 that Day will be a hard and distressing Day. 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 and children as [love's] witnesses, 13 and made all things smooth for him; 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 Soon will I visit him with a mount of calamities! 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 (Self-)destroyed is he, how he planned! 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 and said: “This (Qur'an) is merely a sorcery of yore; 24 Nothing more than the speech of a man!" 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It leaves and spares no one and nothing. 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen (angels as guardians and keepers of Hell). 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals. 31