The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
O you enveloped in your cloak! 1 arise and warn, 2 And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify! 3 And your garments do purify, 4 And stay away from idols. 5 And bestow not favour that thou mayest receive more. 6 And be patient for the sake of your Lord (i.e. perform your duty to Allah)! 7 And when the trumpet is blown, 8 that very Day shall be a day of anguish, 9 For the disbelievers - not easy. 10 Leave Me with the one I created alone 11 and designated for him ample wealth, 12 and sons that stand in witness. 13 And made things easy for them. 14 And yet he desires that I should add more! 15 Never! For he is an enemy to Our signs! 16 I shall inflict on him hardship, 17 Surely he reflected and guessed, 18 and woe to him; how he plotted! 19 And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! 20 He looked (at others); 21 Then frowned he and showed displeasure. 22 Then he turned back and was arrogant 23 and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]! 24 This is nothing but the word of mortal man!" 25 Soon I will cast him into hell. 26 And what will make you know exactly what Hell-fire is? 27 It spares not, neither leaves alone 28 It strips away the hide of man. 29 Over it are nineteen [angels]. 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