The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 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 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35