The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O thou shrouded in thy mantle, 1 arise and warn, 2 And thine Lord magnify! 3 And keep your clothes clean. 4 stay away from sins 5 And show not favour, seeking wordly gain! 6 And persevere in the way of your Lord. 7 For when the trumpet is sounded, 8 that day will be a harsh day, 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 and for whom I have smoothed the way (to power and riches), 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 Anon I shall afflict him with a fearful woe. 17 Indeed he thought, and inwardly decided. 18 So accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 Then he thought; 21 and then he frowns and glares, 22 Then turned his back and waxed proud, 23 And said, “This is nothing but magic learnt from earlier men.” 24 “This is nothing but the speech of a man.” 25 I shall surely roast him in Sakar; 26 And what have you understood, what hell is! 27 It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die,] 28 Blackening the skins. 29 Over it are Nineteen. 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