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 give warning! 2 Glorify your Lord, 3 Purify your inner self, 4 Pollution shun! 5 Do not give, thinking to gain greater 6 but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience. 7 When the Horn is blown, 8 It will be a day of distress, 9 For the unbelievers, anything but easy. 10 Leave Me with the one I created alone 11 And for whom I appointed wealth extended. 12 And sons dwelling in his presence, 13 I made things smooth and easy for him, 14 then he is eager that I should do more. 15 Never. He is refractory of Our signs. 16 I shall oblige him to (climb a slippery mountain in the Hell-fire called As-Sa'ud, or to) face a severe torment! 17 For lo! he did consider; then he planned - 18 death seize him, how he determined! 19 yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates! 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 proud; 23 Then said he: "This is nothing but magic, derived from of old; 24 Naught is this but the word of Man. 25 I will cast him into the fire of Hell. 26 What could make you conceive what hell-fire is? 27 It spares nothing; it leaves nothing intact; 28 It scorches people's skin 29 Above 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