The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 except those that pray, 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35