The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Cloaked one, 1 arise, and warn! 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 And thine raiment purify. 4 shun uncleanness; 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 and persevere for your Lord's sake. 7 And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded, 8 So that is a tough day. 9 and it will not be easy for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me whom I created alone, 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And children to be by his side! 13 whose life I have made run smoothly 14 and yet, he greedily desires that I give him even more! 15 Nay! He is forward unto Our signs; 16 I shall force him to endure a painful uphill climb! 17 For he had thought and calculated. 18 Ruin seize him, how did he hatch a scheme? 19 May be then be accursed, how he plotted! 20 Then looked he, 21 Then he frowned and scowled; 22 and in the end he turns his back [on Our message,] and glories in his arrogance, 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 This is nothing but the word of a mortal!" 25 Anon shall I roast him into the Scorching Fire. 26 And what will explain to thee what Hell-Fire is? 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen. 30 We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith -- and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, "What does God mean by this parable?" In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man. 31