The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those that pray 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 those who preserve their chastity 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 seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35