The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded! 1 Arise and deliver thy warning! 2 And proclaim the Purity of your Lord. 3 And your garments do purify, 4 and shun uncleanness, 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 Then, when the Trumpet is sounded (i.e. its second blowing); 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone, 11 and to whom I have granted resources vast, 12 and sons standing before him, 13 And I adjusted affairs for him adjustably; 14 and who still greedily desires that I should bestow upon him more. 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Verily he considered, and devised. 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 What an evil plan he has made! 20 and then he looks [around for new arguments,] 21 frowned and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was big with pride, 23 And said: "This is nothing but the magic of old, 24 It is nothing but the word of a mortal' 25 I will cast him into hell. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 scorching the flesh; 29 over it are nineteen. 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