The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 Arise and warn, 2 and exalt your Lord, 3 Thy raiment purify, 4 And all abomination shun! 5 Give not, thinking to gain greater 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 That will be- that Day - a Day of Distress,- 9 for the unbelievers not easy. 10 Leave Me with him whom I created alone, 11 And to whom I granted extensive wealth 12 And sons abiding in his presence 13 And for whom I smoothed everything. 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 No! Indeed, he has been toward Our verses obstinate. 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates: 19 Again, ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 20 Then he thought; 21 frowned and scowled; 22 then he retreated, and waxed proud. 23 Then he said: naught is this but magic from of old; 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 Him shall I fling unto the burning. 26 And what knoweth thou that which the Scorching Fire? 27 It leaves nothing, nor does it spare; 28 It scorches the mortal. 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