The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35