The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
O thou enveloped in thy cloak, 1 arise, and warn! 2 Proclaim the glory of your Lord; 3 thy robes purify 4 and flee from the statues! 5 and do not think that by doing such deeds, you have done a great favor to God. 6 For the sake of thy Lord, be patient! 7 When the Trumpet shall be sounded, 8 Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day. 9 Dolorous for the unbelievers. 10 Leave him to Me, the one whom I created single. 11 whom I have endowed with abundant riches, 12 And sons always present by his side, 13 And made several preparations for him. 14 And who yet coveteth that shall increase. 15 Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself 16 I will constrain him to a hard ascent. 17 He reflected and then hatched a scheme. 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 Again accursed be he, how evilly did he decide! 20 May he be condemned again for his schemes! He looked around, 21 then he frowned, and scowled, 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 Then he said: This is naught but enchantment, narrated (from others); 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 I will surely roast him in the Scorching. 26 and what will teach thee what is Sakar? 27 Naught doth it permit to endure, and naught doth it leave alone!- 28 It shrivelleth the man. 29 Over it are nineteen [powers]. 30 We have appointed none but angels as the keepers of the Fire, and We have not made their number but as a trial for the unbelievers so that those who have been endowed with the Book will be convinced and the believers' faith will increase, and neither those who have been endowed with the Book nor the believers will fall into any doubt. As for those in whose hearts there is a sickness as well as the unbelievers, they will say: “What did Allah aim at by this strange parable?” Thus does Allah let whomsoever He pleases to go astray, and directs whomsoever He pleases to the Right Way. And none knows the hosts of your Lord but He. (And Hell has only been mentioned here) that people may take heed. 31