The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 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 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35