The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! 1 Arise and warn 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 And your garments purify! 4 And uncleanness do shun, 5 do not bestow a favour in the expectation of receiving more in return; 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 it will be a hard day 9 not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth! 10 Leave to Me the one, whom I have created all by Myself, 11 and appointed for him ample wealth 12 and children living in his presence, 13 And spread [everything] before him, easing [his life]. 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 Nay! For lo! he hath been stubborn to Our revelations. 16 On him I shall impose a fearful doom. 17 He planned and plotted. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 20 He looked (at others); 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then turned back, and swelling-up with pride, 23 He said, 'This is naught but a trumped-up sorcery; 24 this is nothing but the word of a mere mortal!” 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 - Ah, what will convey unto thee what that burning is! - 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 It glows and burns the skin. 29 there are nineteen [angels] in charge of it -- 30 For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and they who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray,] and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man. 31