The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35